Ukraine retakes key Kyiv suburb; battle for Mariupol rages

KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — Ukraine says it retook a strategically important suburb of Kyiv, as Russian forces squeezed other areas near the capital and pressed their attack on the embattled southern port of Mariupol.

Explosions and bursts of gunfire shook Kyiv on Tuesday, and black smoke rose from a spot in the north.

Intensified artillery fire could be heard from the northwest.

Russian forces also continued their siege of Mariupol after the southern port city’s defenders refused demands to surrender.

But the Kremlin’s ground offensive in other parts of the country advanced slowly or not at all, knocked back by lethal hit-and-run attacks by the Ukrainians.