RUSSIA-UKRAINE LIVE: Russian currency falls again, Coca-Cola boycott and how you can help refugees

The West is exploring legislation to further isolate Russia from the global economy, including the US banning the import of its oil and energy into the country.

The price of oil jumped more than £7.50 ($10) a barrel today as the conflict in Ukraine deepened amid mounting calls for harsher sanctions against Russia. The surge followed the failure of temporary ceasefires in two Ukrainian cities. 

Russian forces intensified shelling of cities in Ukraine’s centre, north and south, a Ukrainian official said, upending attempts to evacuate besieged civilians.

Russia said another ceasefire would start today with the opening of humanitarian corridors in several areas, including Kyiv, Mariupol, Kharkiv and Sumy.

And Russian President Vladimir Putin shifted blame for the invasion, saying Moscow’s attacks could be halted ‘only if Kyiv ceases hostilities’.

The outskirts of Kyiv, Chernihiv, Mykolaiv, and Kharkiv faced stepped-up shelling late yesterday, presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovich said. Heavy artillery hit residential areas in Kharkiv and shelling damaged a TV tower, local officials said.

Fighting has caused 1.5million people to flee the country, which the UN refugee agency called ‘the fastest-growing refugee crisis in Europe since World War Two’.

But much of the Russian advance has become stalled, including an immense military convoy that has been almost motionless for days north of Kyiv. 

Boris Johnson is beginning a week of intense diplomatic efforts with foreign leaders to build a united front against Mr Putin, which comes as ministers scramble to go ‘faster and harder’ with sanctions levelled against the Kremlin. 

Meanwhile the Archbishop of York has hailed the generosity of Mail readers as our Ukraine Appeal soared past £4million last night. 

Here, follow MailOnline’s live blog for all the updates on the crisis in Ukraine today: