Russia's bombing of populated areas in Ukraine is an effort to break morale, according to the UK defence ministry.

In its daily intelligence report, the MoD says the strength of Ukraine's resistance continues to surprise Russia, which has responded by targeting cities including Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Mariupol.

It compares Russia's strategy with its campaigns in Syria in 2016 and Chechnya in 1999, when the Russian military carried out intense shelling of built-up areas.

The report also says that Russia's advance has been slowed by Ukraine's targeting of its supply lines.

BBC