Russia's invasion of Ukraine enters 100th day as fighting rages

Ukraine marked 100 days since Russia's invasion on Friday with fighting raging across the east of the country, where Moscow's forces are tightening their grip on the Donbas region.

The sombre milestone came as Kyiv announced Moscow was now in control of a fifth of Ukrainian territory, including Crimea and parts of Donbas seized in 2014.

After being repelled from around the capital, President Vladimir Putin's troops have set their sights on capturing eastern Ukraine, prompting warnings the war could drag on.

Some of the fiercest fighting is now centred on Severodonetsk in the Donbas region, 80 percent of which the Russians have seized, but Ukrainian forces are putting up stiff resistance.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said late Thursday Ukrainian forces had had some success in the battle for the industrial hub, which is in the Lugansk region. "But it is still too early.

“It is the toughest area at the moment," he added.

Lugansk regional governor Sergiy Gaiday said on Telegram that "for 100 days, they have been levelling everything", accusing the Russians of destroying hospitals, schools and roads.

 "But we are only getting stronger. Hatred of the enemy and faith in our victory make us unbreakable."

Since Russia's February 24 invasion, thousands of people have been killed and millions forced to flee, while Zelensky says up to 100 Ukrainian soldiers are dying every day on the battlefield.