Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky has said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is just the start, warning that Vladimir Putin intends to invade other countries.

“Russia’s invasion of Ukraine was intended only as a beginning,” he said. “All the nations who, like us, believe in the victory of life over death must fight with us.”

His comments came after a Russian general said the Kremlin wanted to gain full control in southern Ukraine to give access to Transnistria, a break-away region in Moldova.

Meanwhile, there is still “heavy” fighting in Mariupol, despite the Kremlin declaring victory there earlier this week, according to British military intelligence.

“Despite their stated conquest of Mariupol, heavy fighting continues to take place frustrating Russian attempts to capture the city thus further slowing their desired progress in the Donbas,” the British Ministry of Defence said.

In other developments, UN secretary-general Antonio Guterres will visit Moscow on Tuesday to meet president Mr Putin, before heading to Kyiv for talks with Ukrainian president Mr Zelensky