Ukrainian cities in the south and east are under constant fire, Kyiv is absolutely calm, the war on land is on the seventh day

The war in Ukraine – or “special military operation” as Russia calls it, has been going on for seven days. The Russians made territorial gains in the south and east of the country and north of Kyiv. A Russian military spokesman said more than 1,500 military targets in Ukraine had been “eliminated” over the past six days.

According to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russia wants to “eradicate” Ukraine, its history and population. A week of war so far has claimed more than 2,000 civilian lives, according to Ukraine’s emergency servicesFigures unconfirmed by independent sources. The Ukrainian government says there will already be at least 21 children.

Ukraine says more than 7,000 Russian soldiers were killed in the invasion. Hundreds of others were said to have been imprisoned. Russia has not released figures yet, but is now talking about 498 Russian soldiers killed and more than 1,500 wounded.

The West fears that after a difficult start to the war, Russia is now turning to a more violent tactic, giving the cities that were previously unable to fully take charge. British Prime Minister Boris Johnson accuses Russia of “war crimes”.

The United Nations says more than 800,000 Ukrainians have already fled their country.

What follows is – geographically divided – matters of the situation on the ground. (Read Our live blog for public coverage of the war in Ukraine.)