Ukraine says it retook control of a town near Kyiv from Russia as heavy fighting continues around the capital

• Ukraine said it had retaken Makariv, a town near Kyiv, from Russian forces.
• This means Russia is blocked from surrounding Kyiv from the northwest, per the Associated Press.

Ukraine's army said it had retaken control of a town near Kyiv after Russia's invasion.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Facebook on Tuesday that Makariv, west of Kyiv, was back under Ukrainian control, writing that the "state flag of Ukraine was raised over the city of Makariv."

This means that Ukraine can stop Russia surrounding the city from the northwest, The Associated Press reported.

The city was hit by multiple attacks, including a hit on an industrial bakery that killed at least 13 people and attacks on apartment buildings and schools.

Russia started its invasion of Ukraine on February 24, and the attacks have increasingly hit Kyiv.

The capital is seen as Vladimir Putin's primary objective in the war, but it has proved difficult to take. Russian forces have pounded parts of the city with air strikes and artillery, but have not advanced into the city by ground.

A shopping center on the edge of the city was hit by a Russian airstrike on Sunday, killing at least eight people.