Fighting reaches central Mariupol as shelling hinders rescue attempts

Russia claims to be tightening noose' around south-eastern port city as thousands still stranded

• Russia-Ukraine war: latest updates

Fighting has reached the centre of the besieged Ukrainian port city of Mariupol, as attempts to rescue people trapped under the rubble of a bombed out theatre were again hampered by Russian shelling.

The Russian defence ministry said its forces were tightening the noose" around the city, and that fighting against nationalists" was taking place in the city centre. Mariupol's mayor Vadym Boichenko appeared to confirm the claims, telling the BBC that fighting was really active". Tanks and machine gun battles continue," he said. Everybody is hiding in bunkers."