17 latest development in Russia-Ukraine war as Kyiv rejects Moscow ultimatum

Here are the latest developments in the war in Ukraine:

– Chemical ‘leak’ –

Sumy regional governor Dmytro Zhyvytsky tells residents in the northern Ukrainian town of Novoselytsya to shelter after an ammonia “leak” at a nearby chemical factory. The area has seen heavy fighting.

– Ukraine rejects Russian ultimatum –

Russia gives the besieged city of Mariupol until 5:00 am on March 21 to surrender, warning that more than a “court martial” awaits those who refuse.

Ukraine’s Deputy Prime Minister Iryna Vereshchuk rejects the ultimatum, telling local media “there can be no talk of surrendering weapons”.

– Biden to Europe –

US President Joe Biden will travel to Poland on Friday to meet President Andrzej Duda, the White House says.

– Civilian targets bombed –

Ukrainian authorities accuse Russia of bombing a Mariupol art school where some 400 people, including women and children, had been sheltering.

– Forcible transfer –

Mariupol officials claim Russian forces have forcibly transported around a thousand residents to Russia and stripped them of their Ukrainian passports — a potential war crime.