Russia showed no letup in pounding Ukrainian cities already large reduced to rubble but still in their defenders’ hands. But Western defence analysts suggested Russian troops were becoming demoralised and had lost some ground to Ukrainian forces

In an initial assessment a week ago, the IMF said the loss of life, damage to critical infrastructure, trade disruption, and an outflow of refugees would lead to the 10% GDP fall.

Officials in Mariupol, where residents have been subject to bombardments and without power, water and heat, said fighting had engulfed districts where Russian troops had broken through defences.

Western defence analysts suggested Russian troops were bogged down, particularly outside the capital, the invaders’ supply lines unable to provide troops with food and fuel. One U.S. estimate said the Russian death toll stood at 7,000 troops.