Ukrainian Marine Commander Pavlo Sbytov Killed Fighting Russian Invaders

A Ukrainian commander killed during Russia's invasion has been labeled "selfless" and a "hero," following his death.

Senior Lieutenant Pavlo Sbytov commanded his country's 503rd marine battalion, the Ukrainian defense ministry said.

The 27-year-old native of the western city of Lviv became the first in his family to join the Ukrainian military, doing so at the age of 15, the ministry's information agency reported.

"Yesterday he gained eternal life and the fame of a warrior in the battle with the Moscow occupiers," Armiya Inform said, according to a translation, suggesting he died on Friday.

The agency did not specify other circumstances of his death.

After training at the Kruty Heroes Lviv State Lyceum and the Hetman Petro Sahaidachny National Army Academy, Sbytov was assigned to the marines. There he showed exceptional promise and was tipped to eventually become a general.

Armiya Inform shared a filmed interview Sbytov had given in which he said "in war, you have an incredibly great responsibility. There is no time to think, you should act prudently and correctly. But you quickly get used to the real combat situation."

His death was covered by major Ukrainian media outlets, which reported comments from those closest to him.

"My hero, to my brother... from the very beginning of this vile and fierce war, you have defended our peace," his sister Solomiya Dmytriv said on Facebook, as she described him as "wise, brave and selfless."

"You took care of each of your own and were proud of them. They and the whole country are proud of you," she wrote.

Military Chaplain Andriy Zelinsky wrote on Facebook "almost your entire life has been at war. And now you've traveled further, where we will meet someday."

Oleksandra Bezsmertna, who studied with Sbytov, wrote on Facebook, "you did what you loved and loved what you did. You were with those you led, those who fought, those who won."

News of his death comes amid an assessment by the British Ministry of Defence (MOD) that Russian forces are progressing towards Kyiv, whose residents have braced themselves for an onslaught.

Meanwhile, in the southern city of Mariupol, Russian forces have not stopped their barrages which have thwarted repeated attempts to bring in food and water and to evacuate trapped civilians.

The Ukrainian government said Russian forces shelled a mosque sheltering more than 80 people in Mariupol, although as yet there are no reports of any casualties.