Ukraine regains control of Kyiv suburb as intensified fighting continues

Ukrainian forces say they have recaptured a strategically significant suburb of Kyiv. Russian troops have continued focusing their efforts on gaining control of the Ukrainian capital city.

Fighting intensified heading into this week around Kyiv as Russia struggles to gain control of at least one major Ukrainian city following four weeks of fighting. Residents of Kyiv are under a 35-hour curfew that runs through Wednesday morning.

Ukrainian troops beat back the Russian army from the Kyiv suburb of Makariv following a battle early Tuesday, said Ukraine's Defense Ministry. Ukraine was then able to regain control of a major highway and prevent Russian forces from surrounding Kyiv from the northwest.

Kyiv, according to Western officials, remains Vladimir Putin's primary objective, but Russian troops have also continued with their siege of the port city of Mariupol following a refusal from Ukrainian authorities on Monday to surrender the city in exchange for a safe passage out for civilians. Fleeing civilians say there are corpses on the streets of the city as the shelling attacks continue.