Capturing Pokrovsk, dubbed "the gateway to Donetsk" by Russian media, and Kostiantynivka to its northeast which Russian forces are also trying to envelop, would give Moscow a platform to drive north towards the two biggest remaining Ukrainian-controlled cities in Donetsk - Kramatorsk and Sloviansk.

Vladimir Putin says Russia has conducted a successful test of a new atomic-powered and nuclear-capable underwater drone.

Russian President Vladimir Putin’s special envoy claimed Washington and Moscow were close to a “diplomatic solution” to the war in Ukraine, estimating that the conflict would end

Ukraine and its allies have called on Donald Trump to pressure Xi Jinping over China’s support for Russia. Trump’s meeting with Xi later Thursday will be a major test of just how ready the US president is to get tough with Vladimir Putin.