Ukraine’s president has pleaded with the European Union to “prove that you are with us” in an impassioned speech that received a standing ovation and brought the interpreter close to tears.
President Zelenskyy addressed the European Parliament via link as many in the EU chamber wore Ukraine’s yellow and blue in support.
The interpreter became emotional during the speech, in which Mr Zelenskyy said “nobody will break us – we’re strong, we’re Ukrainians” – and challenged the bloc to stand by his country.
Ukraine-Russia news live: PM visits Poland to show support for NATO allies
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Missile strikes government building in central Kharkiv
“Do prove that you are with us. Do prove that you will not let us go,” said the president.
“Do prove that you are indeed Europeans and then life will win over death and light will win over darkness.”
Mr Zelenskyy said 16 children were killed yesterday and that Ukraine was “fighting to be equal members of Europe”.
It comes as at least 10 people died and 35 were injured in strikes against the second-biggest city of Kharkiv early on Tuesday, according to Ukraine’s interior ministry.
One missile hit a government building in central Freedom Square, causing a huge explosion, while residential areas are also said to have been attacked.
Several cars were driving next to the building when it was struck.
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The aftermath of the attack on Kharkiv’s regional administration building
“The rubble is being cleared and there will be even more victims and wounded,” interior ministry adviser Anton Heraschenko said on social media.
President Zelenskyy called the attack on Kharkiv’s main square “frank, undisguised terror”.
“Nobody will forgive. Nobody will forget… This is state terrorism of the Russian Federation,” he said.
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Where Russian forces have reached in Ukraine
In other developments:
Boris Johnson says more than 200,000 Ukrainians could be allowed to join family in UK PM put on spot by tearful Ukrainian reporter who says people in fear over “bombs and missiles” Prince Charles calls Russian invasion an act of “brutal aggression” Mariupol said to be under “constant shelling” – as separatists say they have set up corridors to evacuate civilians More than 520,000 refugees have already fled Ukraine to European neighbours, says UN
There is also eence of the apparent use of banned cluster bombs in Kharkiv.
Russia has denied the claim and says it is only attacking military targets, but the International Criminal Court is looking at an investigation into possible war crimes.
Ukraine authorities also revealed today that at least 70 of its troops were killed in a Russian attack on a military base on Sunday.
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Ukraine says the troops were killed when a building on the base was hit on Sunday
It happened in Okhtyrka – a city between Kharkiv and the capital, Kyiv.
Regional head Dmytro Zhyvytsky posted photos of a charred building and rescuers searching rubble after the artillery attack.
He said on Facebook that many Russian troops and some civilians were also killed.
Fears that Russia will intensify its campaign are growing after satellite photos showed a convoy about 40 miles long approaching Kyiv.
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A convoy about 40 miles long is heading towards Kyiv. Pic: MAXAR/AP
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Ground attack helicopters, at Vd Bokov airfield, in Mazyr. Pic: Pic: MAXAR/Reuters
The head of the convoy – which includes armoured vehicles, tanks and artillery – was believed to be around 15 miles (24 km) from the city.
The images also show eence of fighting outside Kyiv, while helicopter units and more ground forces were pictured over the border in Belarus.
President Zelenskyy said in a late on Monday that he remained determined to hold the city and his forces will “neutralise” the attackers.
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Explosions rock apartment building in Kharkiv
The president wants the West to consider a no-fly zone over Ukraine – something it is very reluctant to do because it could escalate into direct war with Russia.
Stiff resistance to the invasion has so far led to the deaths of 5,710 Russian troops, Ukraine’s military has claimed.
It also estimated it had taken 200 prisoners, while it said 198 tanks, 29 aircraft, 846 armoured vehicles and 29 helicopters had been destroyed.
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Emotional reunions at Ukrainian borders
With unprecedented sanctions already enacted against Russia, EU politicians are expected to declare the country a “rogue state” later and push for even tougher measures.
A first round of talks between Russia and Ukraine, held on the Belarus border on Monday, ended with no agreement.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Mykhailo Podolyak said the Russian delegation had “a very biased view of the destructive processes it has launched” – but talks are set to continue in the coming days.
Read more:Russia’s invasion of Ukraine mapped – what happened on day five’We were told they would welcome us’: Russian soldier moments before deathUrban war expert’s advice on how civilians can defend themselvesThe children too sick to flee the Russian bombs
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The West believes Moscow wants to replace Ukraine’s government with a more compliant regime but despite their advantage in numbers Russian troops have so far found it difficult to take key cities.
At least 136 civilians have been killed since the invasion started, including 13 children, according to UN human rights chief Liz Throssell.
However, the real figure is likely to be higher.
