Russian shell hits Kharkiv residential area

STORY: Firemen battled to put out the flames that engulfed the school located less than a third of a mile (0.5 km) from the passenger terminal of Kharkiv airport and prevented the fire from spreading.

Two people were injured in the fire.

Ukraine's defence ministry says Russia is preparing to launch a fresh assault in eastern Ukraine to try to take the city of Kharkiv and encircle Ukraine's heavily fortified eastern frontline.

Kharkiv, Ukraine's second largest city, has suffered some of the heaviest shelling since the Russia began what it calls a "special military operation" on February 24.