What the papers say – March 2

As Kyiv braces for an escalation in aggression, the nation’s papers react to the human toll of Russia’s bloody campaign.

What the papers say – March 2 (PA) (PA Archive)

The front pages cover the death and destruction caused by Russian forces as the assault on Ukraine enters its seventh day.

The Daily Telegraph splashes with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pleading with the West “to prevent genocide” after Russia intensified its bombing campaign.

The Daily Mirror also pictures the president on its front. He is depicted with his clenched fist raised in defiance with the headline: “Nobody will break us.”

Mr Zelenksy is captured in the same pose in the Daily Express alongside images which depict the aftermath of Russia’s missile strikes on Kyiv. “Blitzed but never beaten”, the headline says.

“Shunned by the world” says Metro in reference to over 100 diplomats at the United Nations Human Rights Council walking out on Russia’s foreign minister mid-speech as he sought to blame Ukraine for the invasion.

The Times runs a warning from Vladimir Putin to Ukrainian civilians to “leave now” as Russia prepares to escalate the bombing of Kyiv, with the paper reporting the Kremlin is planning to surround the city with 15,000 troops.

The Sun calls Mr Putin “barbaric” after his forces bombed a Holocaust memorial where over 100,000 victims were buried.

The Daily Mail carries a photo of the Kyiv TV tower being struck by a missile with the headline: “Pray for Kyiv.”

The i writes that the Ukrainian capital is bracing for “mass bombardment” by Russia.

The Independent similarly carries Kyiv’s preparation for further assault after the Kremlin threatened “high precision” bombing which would reduce the city to rubble.

The Financial Times reports China has unexpectedly joined the fray by calling for a ceasefire by Russia – days after Beijing appeared to side with Moscow by accusing the US of being the “culprit” in the Ukraine crisis.

The Guardian follows the plight of Kyiv residents scrambling to get out of the city as the Russian military approaches, showing people climbing onto the “last train out of Kyiv”.

And the Daily Star splashes with “the real legacy of bloody Vlad”.