Russian forces are advancing in Ukraine at the fastest rate since the early months of the war, according to a respected US-based thinktank. Battlefield reports indicate Moscow is edging closer to the key logistics town of Pokrovsk in Donetsk.

Russia's deputy foreign minister has said the country is considering deploying medium- and shorter-range missiles to Asia.

One recruit told the Financial Times that he was forced to sign an enlistment contract that he could not read before being sent to Ukraine.