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RUSSIA is demanding the surrender of Mariupol, while trying to position themselves within range of crucial cities.

At least eight civilians have died in a Russian attack on a large shopping centre just outside the Ukraine's capital Kyiv.

Retroville shopping mall, near Kyiv, was destroyed by Russian troops
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Retroville shopping mall, near Kyiv, was destroyed by Russian troopsCredit: AFP

Where are Russian troops in Ukraine now?

An estimate of 190,000 Russian troops have been deployed in and around Ukraine for the invasion.

Russia has admitted around 10,000 of their troops have been killed.

Despite peace talks on the Belarusian border, the Ukraine war rages on with no hint of whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will withdraw his troops.

Russia has military control over much of Ukraine's southern regions but is fighting to take control of Mariupol.

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The city is surrounded by Russian forces but Ukraine refuses to surrender.

Ukrainian forces are holding on to important cities like Kharkiv and Kyiv as well as Odesa, which is a crucial connection to supplies.

Capital Kyiv remains under Ukrainian control with the nearest Russian troops about 15 miles from the city centre.

Troops attacked the Retroville mall just outside Kyiv in the Podilskyi district, killing eight civilians.

In the north of the country, Russian troops are attempting to surround the city of Sumy.

Many civilians have joined Ukrainian forces in the fight for their homeland.

Which parts of Ukraine has Russia invaded?

Russia has made large sweeps in the south of Ukraine, using Crimea and the separatist supporters in Donetsk and Luhansk.

Troops moved into the Kherson region from Crimea - a territory that Russia annexed from Ukraine in 2014.

Kherson and Melitopol areas of Ukraine are under control of Russian forces.

There is strong Russian presence in Chernobyl and the surrounding area.

Northern cities of Chernihiv and Konotop, which are closest to the Russian and Belarusian borders, have also been taken.

🔵 Read our Russia - Ukraine live blog for the very latest updates

Why has Russia invaded Ukraine?

Unrest in the Donbas region began in 2014 after the Russian annexation of Crimea.

Pro-Russian demonstrations escalated into fighting with the Ukraine government forces.

 of 2015 – between the separatist leaders, Ukraine, Russia, France and Germany – sought to end fighting in the region but without success.

The much feared Russian advance began in the early hours on February 21, 2022, soon after Putin announced he recognised Luhansk and Donetsk as independent states in a bombastic TV address.

Joe Biden and Boris Johnson condemned the move as an "invasion" and slapped sanctions on Russian banks and Putin's billionaire cronies.

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Many countries and private companies have also sanctioned Russia and Russian oligarchs, such as Chelsea FC owner Roman Abramovich.

The big sanctions for the billionaires has been the seizures of many of their superyachts.

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