(Reuters) – Ukraine said it urgently needed more weapons to fend off Russian advances in the south and the east, an appeal aimed at the West as the leaders of Germany, France and Italy are expected to visit Kyiv. FIGHTING * The head of Ukraine’s military said Russia had concentrated its main strike forces in the north of Luhansk region and were trying to attack simultaneously in nine directions. * Russia’s defence ministry accused Ukrainian forces of disrupting efforts to allow civilians to escape from a chemical plant in Sievierodonetsk, scene of a weeks-long battle. Reuters was unable to ver…