Ukraine invasion: 'Disgusted' Boris Johnson condemns 'abhorrent' Russia as he and Volodymyr Zelenskyy agree sanctions must 'go further'

Boris Johnson has shared his "disgust" at Russia's "abhorrent attacks" in a call with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as the pair agreed Western sanctions on Vladimir Putin's regime must "go further".

In an intelligence update on Wednesday morning, the Ministry of Defence said heavy Russian artillery and airstrikes had continued to target built-up areas in the past 24 hours.

These have been primarily focussed on the cities of Kharkiv, Kyiv, Mariupol and Chernihiv as Russian President Vladimir Putin's attempt to conquer his country's neighbour enters a seventh day.

There have also been reports of a Russian airstrike hitting a residential area in the city of Zhytomyr, about 85 miles west of Kyiv.

Kherson 'completely surrounded by Russians' - follow latest updates

PM condemns 'abhorrent' attacks

Number 10 said Mr Johnson had spoken to Mr Zelenskyy this morning "to condemn the abhorrent attacks on Ukraine in the recent hours and days".

"The prime minister told President Zelenskyy that the UK was rallying UN General Assembly members today, to ensure the strongest possible condemnation of Russia at this afternoon's UN meeting in New York," a Downing Street spokeswoman said.

"Sharing his disgust at the attacks on Ukraine, the PM said the UK was doing everything possible to support the Ukrainian people and their resistance.

"President Zelenskyy thanked the PM for the UK's support and leadership in ensuring defensive aid reached Ukraine and said it had been vital in holding back Russian forces.

"Both leaders agreed on the need for sanctions to go further to exert maximum pressure on President Putin in the coming days."

In a Twitter post, Mr Zelenskyy revealed he had updated Mr Johnson on Ukraine's defensive efforts as well as "the latest crimes of Russia against the civilian population".

He added he was grateful for the UK's "continued significant assistance in combating aggression".

The Ukrainian president also spoke with Dutch Prime Minister Mark Rutte on Wednesday.

Following their call, Mr Rutte said it was "very important that as much evidence as possible is collected about possible war crimes".

Russia to get 'harder, tougher and more indiscriminate'

The continued pledging of Western support for Ukraine came amid warnings Mr Putin would get "harder, tougher and more indiscriminate" as his invasion attempt lags "considerably" behind schedule.

Speaking to Sky News, Defence Secretary Ben Wallace said the Russian military in Ukraine was "moving very slowly on its objectives" and suffering "significant casualties" as troops continue their assault on major cities.

"While we see some footage today of Kharkiv of Russian forces potentially in the middle of the city, they don't hold the city," the defence secretary said.

"It's a city of 1.4 million people and they are taking casualties, the Russians, and they are finding it very slow going."

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Mr Wallace said the initial tactics of Russian forces "weren't correct" and suggested they had thought they would conquer Ukrainian cities "in a few hours, rather than six days or longer".

He added that Russia had been "surprised" by the strength and "clever plan" of Ukraine's resistance, with reports that Ukrainians are using drones to attack Russian petrol and supply lines, as well as blowing up railway lines.

Mr Wallace warned, however, that as the costs of the invasion rack up for Mr Putin, the Russian president was likely to resort to more brutal military tactics.

'Brutality going to get worse'

"I think the Russians have realised that the Ukrainians, by fighting, are costing them lots and lots of casualties and the Russians have taken significant casualties - far more than they would have planned," Mr Wallace said.

"What they are therefore doing is trying to switch tactics and what you are seeing now are those heavy bombardments at night.

"They won't come into the cities as much - they will, I'm afraid as we've seen tragically, carpet bomb cities indiscriminately in some cases."

'How far does the public want us to go against nuclear Russia?'

Mr Wallace once again dismissed calls for the UK and NATO allies to establish a no-fly zone over Ukraine, warning it would likely lead to "a war against Russia across the whole of Europe" if British fighter jets had to shoot down Russian fighter jets.

He suggested that a wider conflict would also bring the risk of nuclear war.

"The question is how far does Europe want us to get towards a war across Europe with Russia?" he added.

"How far does the British public want us to go against a nuclear-armed power who may view escalation of all means?

"So I think we have to be realistic here."

Questions over 'benefit' of no-fly zone

Mr Wallace also questioned the "benefit" of a no-fly zone above Ukraine.

"If you had a no-fly zone in Ukraine, the overwhelming scale of the Russian army would be able to drive around with impunity, which it can't at the moment... without any air attack from the Ukrainians because there would be a no-fly zone," he said.

Mr Wallace made a comparison with the Battle of Britain in 1940 had there been an "unhelpful suggestion" of a no-fly zone.

"That would have suited the vast German Wehrmacht army, it wouldn't have suited the UK [army] who had just returned from Dunkirk."

He added that Ukrainian aircraft and Unmanned Air Vehicles were "causing damage on key parts" of Russia's supply lines.