Live updates: UK sees stalled flighting, Black Sea blockade

LONDON — Russian forces have made no significant progress in the past 24 hours amid continuing supply problems and aggressive resistance from Ukrainian fighters, U.K. defense officials say.

Poor morale and a lack of momentum have compounded the problems facing Russian forces, Britain’s Ministry of Defense said in its latest intelligence briefing.

Heavy fighting continues around Mariupol as Russian forces try to capture the port on the Sea of Avov, which connects to the Black Sea, the ministry said in a briefing posted on Twitter.

Earlier, the ministry said Russia was maintaining a blockade of Ukraine’s Black Sea coast, cutting off maritime trade with the country. The Russian navy is also launching “sporadic” missile strikes against targets in Ukraine, the ministry said.

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KEY DEVELOPMENTS IN THE RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR:

— Russia shifts focus to try to grind Ukraine’s army in east

— Poll: War raises Americans' worry that US could be nuclear target

— Holocaust survivors flee from Ukraine to Germany for safety

— Ukrainian welders turn donated vehicles into army transport

— Ukraine war threatens food supplies in fragile Arab world

— The Oscars have moment of silence, and a plea, for Ukraine

— ‘My personal tragedy’: Ukrainians brace for an attack on Odesa

— Go to https://apnews.com/hub/russia-ukraine for more coverage

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OTHER DEVELOPMENTS:

BEIJING — China’s ambassador to the U.S. says that of all parties concerned in the Ukraine, only China has Russia’s ear.

Qin Gang’s comments to the Phoenix Television channel, which has close ties with China’s ruling Communist Party, come as Beijing’s tacit support for Moscow is receiving...