Russian forces take control of southern coastal town

Russian forces have taken control of the town of Berdyansk on Ukraine's southern coast, its acting mayor, Oleksandr Svidlo, has said. 

Berdyansk has a small naval base, which has a population of about 100,000 people. It appears to be the first populated area that has fallen under complete Russian control since the start of Moscow's recent invasion into Ukraine. 

"A few hours ago, you and I witnessed how heavy military equipment and armed soldiers entered the city and began advancing throughout our hometown," Svidlo, said in a video address, speaking to the town's residents on his Facebook page, which was translated by CNN. 

'Today Berdyansk was on the line of fire. I don't know what tomorrow will be like, but I think tonight will be very, very hard'

- Oleksandr Svidlo, acting mayor of Berdyansk

"As soon as I learned about that, I tried to inform all the residents of the city so that you have the opportunity to hide in shelters," he continued. 

"Some time ago, armed soldiers entered the executive committee building and introduced themselves as soldiers of the Russian army, they informed us that all administrative buildings were under their control and that they were taking control of the executive committee building."

Officials were asked to continue working, Svidlo said, "but under the control of armed men".

"I consider this proposal unacceptable, so we, as all members of the operational headquarters, left the building of the executive committee."

Svidlo ended his post, saying: "Today Berdyansk was on the line of fire. I don't know what tomorrow will be like, but I think tonight will be very, very hard."