INTERNATIONAL: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Thursday 19th May said Russian forces had "completely destroyed" the eastern Donbas region and accused Moscow of carrying out senseless bombardments as it intensified its offensive.

"In the Donbas, the occupiers are trying to exert even more pressure. It is hell there - and that is not an exaggeration," he said in a late night video address.

Zelenskiy said Russian actions in the Donbas region were a "deliberate and criminal attempt to kill as many Ukrainians as possible," adding that it constituted as "genocide" of the Ukrainian people.

Since turning away from Ukraine's capital, Russia is using massed artillery and armor to try to capture more territory in the Donbas, comprised of the Donetsk and Luhansk areas, which Moscow claims on behalf of separatists.

Moscow calls its invasion a "special military operation" to rid Ukraine of fascists, an assertion Kyiv and its Western allies say is a baseless pretext for an unprovoked war.

Donetsk Region police on Thursday 19th May released video showing emergency services searching buildings for survivors after an attack on Bakhmut in the Donetsk region.

Police said three buildings had been destroyed but reported no deaths. One woman is seen in the video being helped away from a damaged building.

Reuters was also unable to independently verify the date and location of the footage.

Russia is still pressing its main offensive using massed artillery and armour, trying to capture more territory in the eastern Donbas, comprising the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which Moscow claims on behalf of pro-Russian separatists.

A total of 1,730 fighters have surrendered since Monday, Russian defence ministry spokesperson Konashenkov said, adding that 80 of those were wounded and that those requiring medical attention were being treated in hospital.

Those who are fit have been taken to a penal colony and are being treated well, said Denis Pushilin, head of the breakaway Donetsk People's Republic.

Some Ukrainians return to their war torn homes as 100 days of conflict approaches. Whole families had to spend their days in basements. No one knew how long the occupation of their village would last.

The Group of Seven rich nations also agreed to provide Ukraine with $18.4 billion. Ukraine said the money would speed up victory over Russia and was just as important as "the weapons you provide".

President Joe Biden's administration authorized $100 million of additional military aid to Ukraine.

When will this war end?