There are reports Russian soldiers are holding hundreds of people captive inside an intensive care hospital in Mariupol

Residents of the city have now contacted a human rights organisation, concerned for the welfare of the hospital staff and patients, who are unable to leave.

Russian troops are apparently firing bullets at the Mariupol Regional Intensive Care Hospital in an attempt to trigger a Ukrainian response.

Those who have tried to escape have been told they will be shot if they do not cooperate.

Buildings are smashed and Russia tightens its grip

In Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv, Russian airstrikes and shelling have ramped up.

On the 20th day of Putin’s war, at least five people have been killed during bombardments, as residents lay trapped under rubble.

President Zelensky spoke with a number of Western diplomats via video link, including UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson.

Zelensky notes Europe must protect its own security by helping Ukraine defend itself against Russia.

As evacuation efforts in Mariupol continue, around 2-thousand cars have left so far, with a further 2,000 waiting to follow.

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine have also continued, with Ukrainian officials playing up hopes the war could end sooner than expected.

Zelensky hinted at a potential compromise, saying his nation may be prepared to accept certain security guarantees, stopping short of its long-term objective to join NATO.

In a show of support for Ukraine, NATO leaders will meet in Brussels on March 24, showing Russia that North America and Europe will continue to stand together.

US President Joe Biden will be in attendance.

The United States has announced a sweeping new round of sanctions, this time targeting Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko and a number of other Russians.

A judge and 11 Russian military leaders have been targeted, some of whom are responsible for suppressing protestors throughout their nation and also in Ukraine.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warns Putin’s government “has intensified a crackdown against its own citizens’ freedom of expression”.

Belarus and its leader, Lukashenko have played a key role in aiding Russia’s attack… with sanctions applied to the country’s authoritarian leader and his wife.

These block property and interests in the United States, and prohibit Americans from engaging in transactions with them.

Meanwhile, in Geneva, the United Nations human rights office is calling on Russian authorities to ensure an anti-war protester who went viral is not pushed.

The individual interrupted Channel One television show… holding up an anti-war sign behind a studio presenter reading the news.

The sign read “stop the war.don’t believe propaganda”…