Russian shelling sets one of the world's largest markets alight

One of the biggest markets in the world has gone up in flames after being shelled by the Russian military.

The Barabashovo market in Kharkiv has been consumed by fire set off by Russian artillery outside the eastern Ukrainian city.

Seventy emergency personnel are working to extinguish the fire, which is now spreading to neighbouring houses.

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One firefighter has been killed fighting the flames.

The Barabashovo market is the 14th largest market in the world.

More than 90,000 people worked at the market each day.

Mayor Ihor Terekhov said more than 600 buildings have been destroyed in the city, which is about the size of Adelaide.

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"Schools, nurseries, hospitals, clinics have been destroyed," Terekhov said.

"The Russian army is constantly shelling (us) from the ground and the air."

For the last two weeks the city has been bombarded by Russian artillery, rockets, cluster bombs and guided missiles.

At least 500 civilians have been killed, but that figure is likely to rise.