Further Australian aid for Ukraine flagged

Scott Morrison says Australia will continue to provide "strong support" to Ukraine, having already sent more than $150 million in humanitarian aid, lethal and non-lethal equipment.

"I have no doubt that the Ukrainian president will make more requests," Mr Morrison told SBS.

"Wherever Australia can practically help, we have, and we will continue to stand with them."

Foreign Minister Marise Payne called reports of Russian atrocities appalling and has directly conveyed Australia's outrage at the escalation of indiscriminate attacks to her Ukrainian counterpart Dmytro Kuleba.

"The targeting of innocent civilians and civilian infrastructure are war crimes and the president of Russia must be held to account," Senator Payne said on Wednesday, but fell short of labelling Vladimir Putin a war criminal.

Labor's foreign affairs spokeswoman Penny Wong also expressed her dismay at war crimes being committed by Russian forces in Ukraine.

"The image of a pregnant woman being carried from a maternity hospital hit by Russian air strikes will be seared into our memories - a defining moment in this horrific and unjust war," she said.

"We have read harrowing reports of rape and sexual violence. This clear targeting of innocent civilians is nothing short of a war crime."

The Senate unanimously passed a motion condemning Russia and third countries facilitating the Kremlin's invasion of Ukraine through economic and military support.

Senator Payne says more than 3000 Ukrainian civilians have been left dead or wounded, with numbers feared to be far higher.

A further 10 million people - nearly one-quarter of the population - have been forced to flee their homes.

"Russia must stop its invasion. Russia must get out of Ukraine," Senator Payne said.

"Until that happens, Australia and our partners will continue to impose costs on Russia and support Ukraine."

Independent senator Rex Patrick called on the government to take further action by expelling the Russian ambassador and diplomats following "barbarism" and "terrorist tactics".

"In these circumstances, the argument it is necessary to keep the Russian ambassador in Canberra to maintain a direct line of communication sends precisely the wrong signals to Moscow," Senator Patrick said.

"It suggests no matter what President Putin does, Australia still wants to talk to his henchmen."

Australia has already sanctioned more than 500 individuals and entities, including 80 per cent of Russia's banking sector and all government entities that handle the country's sovereign debt.

Alumina exports to Russia have been banned, as has the import of Russian oil, refined petroleum, gas and coal.

Australia has also provided direct aid to Ukraine, including through $91 million in defensive military assistance, $65 million for humanitarian aid and 70,000 tonnes of thermal coal for energy security.

More than 5000 visas for Ukrainians have been issued with 1000 more under way.

Over 1100 Ukrainians have already arrived in Australia.

"It has been both profound and sobering to see the tremendous courage and determination with which Ukrainians are fighting," the foreign minister said.

"Australia pays tribute to their strength and resilience. We look forward to welcoming, virtually, Ukraine President Zelenskiy when he ... does us the honour of speaking to our parliament."

Mr Zelenskiy's address will take place in the House of Representatives at 5.30pm (AEDT) on Thursday via video link.

Mr Morrison and Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese will make opening remarks before the president speaks.

It comes as the United Kingdom's defence ministry says Russian setbacks and successful Ukrainian counterattacks mean the Kremlin has almost certainly failed its objective to take the capital.

The reduction of activity may indicate Russia's acceptance it lost the initiative in the region with the Kremlin instead likely to focus its offensive on the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in the country's east, the ministry says.

Australian Associated Press