Ukrainian protesters outside NATO HQ in Brussels

Ukrainian protesters gared outside NATO hequarters in Brussels on Wednesday as alliance's defence ministers are garing to discuss war in Ukraine. protesters held up Ukrainian flags and banners to urge NATO to do more to help ir country counter Russia's attack.

One protester asked for Ukrainian "skies to be closed" through a -fly zone and called for delivery of fighter jets and weapons that could help Ukrainian army. As Russia's offensive pressed closer to Ukraine's seat of government, missiles and artillery slammed into high-rise apartment towers in Kyiv on Wednesday, setting buildings ablaze and leaving smoke hanging over capital and its suburbs.

Russian forces escalated ir bombardment of Ukrainian cities, including city of Kharkiv and besieged port of Mariupol, intensifying war's humanitarian toll and leaving cities smoldering. NATO ministers are t expected to make new anuncements regarding alliance's help to Ukraine, as today's meeting is aimed at organising a long-term response to Russia.