Freedom of Information

[DaffyVina]

10:00 28 May
Russia has captured most of Lyman - UK Ministry of Defence
Russian forces have likely captured most of the city of Lyman in the Donetsk region, in what is likely a precursor for the next stage of Moscow's Donbas offensive, the UK's Ministry of Defence says in its daily intelligence update.

Lyman is strategically important because as it gives access to important rail and road bridges over the Siverskyy Donets River.

"In the coming days, Russian units in the area are likely to prioritise forcing a crossing of the river," the ministry said.

But Moscow's main focus remains on Severodonetsk in the Luhansk region, it says.

Russian forces are bombarding towns and cities in eastern Ukraine with the declared aim of "liberating" the old industrial heartland known as Donbas, which is made up of the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.

If the city falls into Russian hands, Moscow will then control the Luhansk region.

Many believe Vladimir Putin could hold up taking control of Donbas as victory in the war.

12:29 28 May
Street fights in Severodonetsk - governor
Street fights are taking place in Severodonetsk as Russian forces seek to take control of the city, the regional governor says.

Serhiy Haidai, the governor of the Luhansk region, posted on Telegram that Russian forces had "suffered significant losses and were forced to retreat" in ​​Severodonetsk and nearby areas.

However, Russian troops are continuing to attack the city from the rear, he said.

"The enemy fired on Severodonetsk several times, at least three times - very heavily, and street fights broke out in some places," he said, adding that 14 high-rise buildings were damaged.

The nearby village of Synetsky was also shelled, he said.

The BBC has been unable to independently verify the claims.

14:25 28 May
Russia scraps age limit for new troops
Russia has scrapped its age limit for professional soldiers, paving the way for more civilian experts to be recruited for the Ukraine conflict.

President Vladimir Putin has signed a law enabling people over 40 to enlist for the armed forces. They are expected to be people of normal working age.

Previously the army had age limits of 18-40 years for Russians and 18-30 for foreigners.

The new law says specialists are required to operate high-precision weapons and “experience shows that they become such by the age of 40-45”. More medics, engineers and communications experts may also be recruited.

Ukrainian and Western military experts say Russia has suffered heavy losses in the war: about 30,000 killed, according to Ukraine, while the UK government estimates the toll at about 15,000. Soviet losses in nine years of war in Afghanistan were about 15,000.

Russia gave a total of 1,351 dead on 25 March, which it has not updated.

President Putin has avoided large-scale conscription for what Russia calls its “special military operation” in Ukraine.

17:25 28 May
Man jailed for treason after helping Russian troops in Donetsk
A court in Ukraine has sentenced a man to 15 years in prison for helping Russian troops in the Donetsk region.

The 40-year-old was found guilty of providing them with information about the location of Ukrainian military facilities in the city of Kharkiv which were subsequently shelled.

He was detained in Uzhhorod, close to the border with Slovakia, where prosecutors said he had moved to carry out further subversive activities.

[DaffyVina]

8:27 - Welcome back
Good morning and thanks for joining us as we restart our coverage of the war in Ukraine. Here are some of the latest headlines:

• Ukraine's President Zelensky expects "good news" on the supply of heavy weapons from the West next week, he said in his regular nightly address

• Zelensky also admitted the situation on the front line in Donbas and parts of Kharkiv region is "indescribably difficult" for the Ukrainian army

• He accused Russian forces of trying to prevent the "departure" of Ukrainians from occupied areas of the Kherson region in the south

• Elsewhere, heavy fighting is continuing near Severodonetsk in Luhansk Region, the General Staff of Ukraine’s Armed forces says

• The update also claims hospitals in annexed Crimea are suspending the admission of civilians in order to free up beds for wounded Russian soldiers

9:19
Severodonetsk under assault by Russian forces
James Waterhouse
Kyiv correspondent, BBC News

Smoke rises over Severodonetsk
Copyright: Getty Images

The war is especially raging in the east of Ukraine in the Donbas region.

Russian forces have launched a number of assaults around the city of Severodonetsk, which is increasingly finding itself surrounded.

Military experts think there is not much for Russia to gain economically or militarily by taking the city other than to declare some kind of early victory in the war, as it remains the last major city not in Russian control in the region of Luhansk.

What isn't clear is whether Russian President Vladimir Putin, should the Donbas region fall, will continue to try and take more of Ukraine.

It's been another night where we've seen more missile attacks, which continually raise questions over what happens next.

11:04
Russian ambassador plays to Kremlin narrative
Steve Rosenberg
BBC Russia editor

Andrei Kelin speaks to the BBC's Clive Myrie
Copyright: PA Media

What we heard from Russia's UK ambassador Andrei Kelin, we’ve been hearing for years from Russian officials whenever their county is accused of anything.

All accusations are rebuffed, all evidence of Russian complicity is dismissed.

What you end up with is this parallel reality in which CCTV footage of Russian soldiers shooting dead unarmed Ukrainian civilians is dismissed as a joke or a computer game.

Where the horrors of Bucha are dismissed as a fabrication, and where the levelling of residential areas of Mariupol is brushed aside as either collateral damage or blamed on Ukrainian soldiers.

In other words, none of this is ever Russia’s fault, everyone is against Russia, everyone is blaming Russia, everyone is accusing Russia and it claims it is the innocent party.

This is the Kremlin narrative which we’ve heard many times before. We heard it after the Salisbury poisonings, we heard it after the attempted assassination of the Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny and we’re hearing it again now.

(For people not familiar with British tone of voice, this reads to me like the equivalent of someone yelling "Bullshit! They're always full of this crap!"
Also this tactic of gaslighting is familiar to anyone that has studied narcissists.)

13:18 What's happening in Ukraine today?
If you're just joining us, here is a brief recap of the latest events in Ukraine to bring you up to speed.

Russia's ambassador to the UK says his country will not use nuclear weapons in Ukraine
Russian ambassador to the UK Andrei Kelin tells the BBC he does not believe Russia will use tactical nuclear weapons in its invasion of Ukraine

He claims Russia's leaders never said they would like to seize Kyiv and says that he didn't think it was possible to capture the Ukrainian capital
He shies away from addressing questions on CCTV footage of Moscow's soldiers committing alleged war crimes in Ukraine
He accepts the besieged city of Mariupol has been destroyed by fighting and criticises UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss, calling her "very belligerent"
Russian forces continue assault in eastern Ukraine

Russian forces launch a number of assaults around Severodonetsk - the largest city still held by Ukraine in the eastern Donbas region
The governor of the Luhansk region accuses Russia of systematically destroying Severodonetsk and claims more civilians have been killed in the city
Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky said the situation remains difficult in the Donbas and Kharkiv regions where he said Russia was trying to "squeeze out some result for itself"

[DaffyVina]

6:27
Welcome back
President Zelensky in Kharkiv
Copyright: Getty Images
Image caption: President Zelensky visited Kharkiv on Sunday

Good morning and thanks for joining us as we restart our coverage of the war in Ukraine. Here are some of the latest headlines:

• Russia has "already lost not only the battle" for Kharkiv, Kyiv and northern Ukraine, but also "its own future and any cultural ties to the free world", President Volodymyr Zelensky said in his nightly address. "They all burned down," he added.

• The speech came after his visit to the front line in Kharkiv region, where some of the heaviest fighting continues as the Russian invasion nears 100 days.

• Russia has been relentlessly shelling eastern Ukraine as it tries to push out the country's forces from the Donbas region - an area it has described as a "priority"

• Meanwhile, the EU failed to reach an agreement on fresh sancitons against Russia as Hungary, a Moscow ally, continues to block them over fears about energy supplies

• Another Russian ally, Serbia, annnounced that it has secured an "extremely favourable" three-year deal with Moscow for natural gas supply

[DaffyVina]

6:57
BREAKING
Fierce fighting in Severodonetsk - regional governor
Two civilians have been killed and five wounded by shelling as Russian troops entered the outskirts of the Ukrainian city Severodonetsk, Luhansk region governor Serhiy Haidai has said on messaging app Telegram.

Most of them are residents of one block in the old part of the city he said, adding they were preparing food in the yard when the shelling suddenly started.

The Reuters news agency is quoting the governor as saying there is "heavy fighting is ongoing for Severodonetsk and Lysychansk," and he describes the situation as "very difficult".

"The enemy has deployed all possible weapons, including aviation. However, our military is holding out firmly to not let the enemy go deeper into the country," Haidai said.

The neighbouring city of Lysychansk remains under Ukrainian control, and evacuations are being carried out of the city, he added.



7:09
BREAKING
Russians advance into Severodonetsk
We have more from the governor of the Luhansk region Serhiy Haidai about the situation in eastern Ukraine.

In his latest Telegram post, he says:

the Russians are advancing into the middle of Severodonetsk, the fighting continues, the situation is very difficult
a car with two volunteers was shot in Severodonetsk, they are wounded, but safe
the critical infrastructure of Severodonetsk is destroyed
It is dangerous to use the Lysychansk-Bakhmut route, we use safer options for the evacuation and transportation of humanitarian goods, he adds

7:26
No gas, water or electricity in Severodonetsk - Haidai
We have more from Serhiy Haidai, Luhansk regional head, on what is going on in the city of Severodonetsk which is facing an assault from Russian forces.

He says there is virtually no gas, water and electricity in the city, and the only communication lines the Ukrainian authorities currently have are with a humanitarian centre in Severodonetsk and a hospital via Starlinks (Elon Musk’s internet).

About 90% of houses in the city have been damaged by shelling.

Describing the Russian tactics, Haidai says: “They would be shelling for three, four, five hours and then advance. Those who are attacking are being killed, and then shelling starts again, and then another attack. And this would be happening until they are able to break through our positions somewhere.

“The weather is quite hot right now. And all over Severodonetsk’s outskirts, we have this persistent corpse stench because they [Russians] are not taking the bodies.”

What's more, he says, “one million people [across the Luhansk region] are left without water”.

Haidai describes the Ukrainian defenders as “heroes” because they are in “the most difficult situation” on Ukraine’s battlefields.

“We are being fired upon with all the Russians have at their disposal. And despite this, the boys are holding on in this part of the Luhansk region until our country’s military get the necessary weapons” to push back the enemy.

[DaffyVina]

7:41
Russia has suffered devastating losses - UK intelligence
The UK's Ministry of Defence has just published its latest intelligence briefing assessing the situation for Russian forces.

"Russia has likely suffered devastating losses amongst its mid and junior ranking officers," it says.

"The loss of a large proportion of the younger generation of professional officers will likely exacerbate its ongoing problems in modernising its approach to command and control."

The briefing also adds that a lack of experienced commanders is "likely to result in a further decrease in morale and continued poor discipline".

7:52
Shifting rhetoric around weapons supplies
Joe Inwood
Reporting from Kyiv

At the start of this war, Ukraine's President Zelensky said the country desperately needed weapons but after a couple of months or so the mood shifted. He then said they were getting what they needed and thanked the West.

Now, as the war in the east appears to be turning against them, we are once again hearing that Ukraine is not getting the weapons it requires.

The governor of the Luhansk region singled out Germany and Hungary for criticism earlier this morning - suggesting they had slowed down the supply of heavy weaponry.

Meanwhile, the focal point of Russia's attack has become Severodonetsk. The shelling there has been so intense it is said to be impossible to assess casualties.

Russia is throwing huge amount of resources into its attempt to take the city and it looks like it is having some success.

8:03
'Liberation' of Donbas an 'unconditional priority' - Russia
Taking control of the Donbas in eastern Ukraine is an "unconditional priority" for Russia, the country's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said in an interview.

Referring to Russia's attack as a "liberation", Lavrov defended the invasion which was launched three months ago.

Donbas is a mining belt made up of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which have historically had strong ties to Russia.

Mr Lavrov told TF1 that taking control of "the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, recognised by the Russian Federation as independent states, is an unconditional priority".

8:14
Ukraine facing key decision over Severodonetsk - analyst
The Russians have thrown everything at the offensive in Luhansk, particularly in Severodonetsk, but are not quite succeeding, a defence and security analyst says.

Prof Michael Clarke told the BBC that Ukrainian forces face a crucial decision about whether to try and save Severodonetsk - which he said would soon be surrounded on all sides - or withdraw to safer ground further west.

"They seem to want to fight it out," he said, adding that the battle over the city is dominated by its river which runs to the west.

"West of that river the Ukrainians have about four brigades," he said. "The Russians are trying to get in behind them. If they do, those brigades will be in serious trouble."

"Those four brigades can keep Severodonetsk just about supplied," Prof Clarke said.

8:30
Powerful blast 'hits Melitopol'
The Russian-appointed head of Melitopol says there has been a powerful explosion in the south-eastern city on Monday morning.

Plumes of black smoke are visible in the centre of the city, Vladimir Rogov said on the Telegram messaging app. The explosion shook the walls and windows of buildings on several streets, he added.

According to some reports, the blast occurred in the area where the Russian-appointed "head of the Zaporizhzhia region" Yevgeny Balitsky is located.

Russian forces took over the city early on in the war, back in February. But there has been fierce resistance from residents ever since.

8:52
Eurovision trophy sold to buy drones for Ukraine
Kalush Orchestra
Copyright: AFP
Kalush Orchestra, the Ukrainian band which won this year's Eurovision Song Contest, have sold their trophy for $900,000 (£712,000; €838,000) to raise money for the war in Ukraine.

The crystal microphone was auctioned on Facebook, with the aim of buying drones for Ukraine's military.

The sale coincided with the band's appearance at a charity concert at Berlin's Brandenburg Gate. It aimed to raise money for medical care and supplies.

Speaking at the concert, band member Oleh Psiuk appealed for people not to get used to the war.

"I think it should be on the front pages always, until peace comes," said Psiuk.

Ukrainian TV presenter Serhiy Prytula said the money raised from the sale of the trophy would be used to purchase three Ukrainian-made PD-2 drones, Reuters news agency reports.

[DaffyVina]

9:11
Ukraine needs long-range artillery - analyst
The weapon Ukraine most needs is long-range Western artillery - howitzers - which would travel further than Russian artillery, a defence analyst says.

"The Russians rely tremendously on artillery, more than troops and tanks, so if Ukraine can outrange them they can hold Russian artillery back," Prof Michael Clarke told the BBC earlier.

He said they are in particular need of US and German howtizers. "Basically they need longer range weaponry which so far the West has been reluctant to give," he said.

The US government appears close to sending a long-range multiple-rocket system (MLRS) to Ukraine, with a potential announcement expected soon.

Russia sees such deliveries of heavy weapons as a provocative escalation.

9:31
Donbas situation very serious - Ukrainian adviser
More now on the fierce fighting taking place in the eastern Donbas region. Yuriy Sak, an adviser to the Ukrainian defence minister, has told the BBC that Russia is "trying to encircle and destroy small pockets" of Ukrainian troops.

"The situation seems to have been stabilised by the Ukrainian armed forces, they are defending the areas [they hold]," he says.

"The Russian aggressors have much more fire power, much more heavy artillery; they're pummelling those areas 24/7 without stopping, and of course they're hitting civilian houses, civilian infrastructure as well as the Ukrainian army," Sak says.

"The situation is very, very serious - and of course the Ukrainian armed forces continue to expect the delivery of more heavy weaponry which we have been requesting from the West for a long time now."

9:50
Heavy weapons would be game changer - Ukraine adviser
We have more from Ukrainian defence adviser Yuriy Sak who has been talking to BBC Radio 4's Today programme.

On the question of expected deliveries of heavy weaponry and heavy artillery from the West, he says the Ukrainian armed forces have received some in the last month but still need more.

"The most pressing need at the moment is the so-called multi-launch rocket systems, the MLRS, because they have a longer fire range than what we have at the moment, and they will allow us to redress the imbalance in artillery in the east, and of course this will be a game changer," he says.

Asked about the suggestion Ukraine could surrender the Donbas to Russia to bring the war to an end, he says: "Ukraine will never agree to any end of this war which will suppose ceding some territories."

"We need military support in order to achieve our goals, to restore our territorial integrity at least to the level of before 24 February [when Russia invaded Ukraine]."

10:29
Ukraine launches Kherson counter-offensive
In Kherson, the Ukrainian military says it has launched a counter-offensive in a bid to reclaim land taken by Russia, perhaps heralding a new stage of the fighting.

"Kherson hold on, we're close!" the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine tweeted on Sunday. The port city in southern Ukraine was the first major area to fall after Russian forces invaded in February.

Russia has been scrambling to build defensive walls in the city, but it was not immediately clear if troops were prepared for the Ukrainian counter-attack.

Ukraine's military headquarters claimed in a statement that its forces had broken through a Russian line of defence and pushed its forces into less favourable terrain. Its troops were also hoping to threaten Russia’s supply routes on bridges over the Dnipro River, it said.

10:46
Melitopol blast a 'terrorist attack', pro-Russian authorities say
An explosion has injured two people in the Russian-controlled city of Melitopol, local pro-Moscow authorities say.

The separatist leaders of the city in south-eastern Ukraine, installed by the Kremlin after it fell in the early days of the war, are blaming Ukraine's government for what they called a "terrorist attack".

Melitopol's authorities say the attack was "aimed at destabilising the peaceful life of the city".

According to the authorities, a car loaded with explosives detonated in the city centre, injuring two people - a 28-year-old woman and a 25-year-old man working as "humanitarian aid" volunteers.

Ukraine's government "continues its war on the civilian population and the infrastructure of cities," their statement says.

Clouds of black smoke were billowing above the city following the explosion, which reportedly shook the windows and walls of buildings in the area.

Some reports suggested the blast occurred near the home of the Russia-installed head of the Zaporizhzhia region Yevgeny Balitsky.

Last week, the Russian-backed mayor of Enerhodar, another city in the Zaporizhzhia region under the Kremlin's authority, was injured in an explosion.

11:00
What's the latest in the fighting?
It's nearly 100 days since the start of the war in Ukraine and Russia is focusing its offensive on the Donbas region in the east of the country. Here's the latest so far today:

Russian advances: Moscow's troops are closing in on the centre of Severodonetsk, a key city in Donbas, according to the governor of the Luhansk region Serhiy Haidai. He described the situation there as very difficult.

There has been intense fighting for weeks around Severodonetsk, which had a pre-war population of about 101,000, and neighbouring Lysychansk as Russia battles for control of the entire Luhansk region.

Civilian deaths: Two people were killed and five wounded by shelling as Russian troops entered the outskirts of Severodonetsk, Haidai said.

Evacuations: Lysychansk remains under Ukrainian control, and evacuations are being carried out to help people leave the city.

Blast in Russian-controlled city: The Russian-appointed leaders of Melitopol says there has been a powerful explosion in the south-eastern city, injuring two people. Russian forces took over the city early on in the war, but there has been fierce resistance.

Counter-offensive: The Ukrainian military says it has launched a counter-attack in a bid to reclaim land taken by Russia around the southern city of Kherson.

11:16
Russian foreign minister dismisses Putin illness rumours
In an interview with French TV channel TF1, Russia's foreign minister Sergei Lavrov dismissed rumours that President Vladimir Putin was unwell.

Lavrov said that considering Putin regularly made public appearances, "I don't think sane people can see in this person signs of some kind of illness or ailment". Putin turns 70 in October.

British intelligence sources were quoted telling media outlets that the Russian president was seriously ill in the last week amid increasing unconfirmed speculation that he may be suffering from ill health, possibly cancer.

However, rumours about Putin's wellbeing have surfaced periodically for years.

[DaffyVina]

11:31
French foreign minister due in Kyiv
French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna is due to visit the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, on Monday for talks with President Volodymyr Zelensky, the foreign ministry has said in a statement.

"The minister wants to show France's solidarity with the Ukrainian people and its full determination to reinforce its support... from a humanitarian and financial point of view, as well as in terms of supplying defence equipment," it said.

The newly appointed minister will be the highest-ranking French official to visit Kyiv since the beginning of Russia's invasion. She is also due to visit the town of Bucha, where Russian troops have been accused of committing war crimes against civilians.

11:48
Ukraine attacking civilian infrastructure in Donbas - Moscow
Russia has accused Ukrainian troops of "outrageous" attacks on civilian infrastructure while fighting in Donbas, Russia's Interfax news agency reports.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Ukraine is striking targets which include "children's institutions", adding that it was this kind of attack that Russian troops were fighting to prevent in the eastern region of Ukraine.

He says: "And it is precisely this - protecting people from these neo-Nazis who do this - this is precisely the main goal that is being pursued during the special military operation."

Peskov's comments come amid fierce fighting in Donbas, with Russian and Ukrainian troops both launching their own offensives and counter-offensives to secure territory, that has been heavily contested, lost over the past three months.

Russia has ramped up its accusations against Ukraine in recent days, with separatist authorities also accusing them of a "terrorist attack" on Monday, after allegedly detonating a car bomb in the Kremlin-controlled city of Melitopol.

The BBC has been unable to independently verify any of these claims.


12:30
Mayor confirms explosion in Melitopol

Laura Bicker
Reporting from Zaporizhzhia

More now on the blast in the Russian-occupied southern city of Melitopol, in which at least two people have been injured.

The local mayor, Ivan Fedorov, has told the BBC there are two possible reasons for the blast:

Russian forces trying to kill Ukrainians resisting the occupation of the city, or
Ukrainian secret services trying to kill Russian collaborators.

He said he knew the truth but was unwilling to share it at this time.

Russian forces met fierce resistance from residents when they arrived in Melitopol in February.

In the last few weeks, a Russian-armoured train was reportedly derailed and two Russian soldiers were found dead in the street. Last month, a bridge used to deliver supplies to the Russian army was blown up.

Another mass protest was held in the city yesterday.

Mr Fedorov said that "brave" locals had made their way to a city centre park "not at night, but in the middle of the day".

“They understand that it is dangerous," he said. "But they show that they don’t agree with the Russian occupation. You think the Russians can occupy our city for a long time? No. It’s impossible.”

The mayor also confirmed that around 30 T-62 tanks had arrived in Melitopol in the past week as Russia tries to shore up its defences in the Zaporizhzhia region.

[DaffyVina]

13:02
Russian troops enter Severodonetsk - Ukrainian official
We reported earlier on claims that Russian forces had advanced into the centre of Severodonetsk, where fighting has raged for days.

Now, the besieged city's district administration head, which sits in Luhansk, has given more detail. A Ukrainian news website quoted Roman Vlasenko as telling Radio Liberty's Ukrainian service:

"The enemy was able to enter from two directions, Novoaydar and Starobilsk. It is controlling a strip of around 100m. They could not advance much deeper, our guys are holding the line."

Vlasenko also said Russian offensives were under way in nearby Lysychansk, but he claimed they were still limited to the countryside. "The guys are holding their ground," he said.

The Lysychansk-Bakhmut motorway is under the control of the Ukrainian military, but it is being constantly shelled by Russian troops, Vlasenko said.

13:23
Severodonetsk firmly in Russia's sights
Joe Inwood
Reporting from Kyiv

Russian forces have entered the city of Severodonetsk as they continue their attempts to capture the eastern Donbas region.

A governor in the region has said the bombardment of the industrial centre is so intense that they have given up counting the casualties. It comes as President Zelensky visited Kharkiv to see the damage done to Ukraine’s second city.

Severodonetsk is now firmly in Russia’s sights.

If Russian forces take the city, they will almost have completed their conquest of the Luhansk Region – a major strategic aim. Maybe that’s why the Ukrainians are trying to hold their ground, despite fierce artillery barrages.

According to the regional governor, Russian troops are pushing toward the centre of the city. Serhiy Haidai said 60% of buildings in this once busy community were damaged beyond repair.

Like the battle for Mariupol before it, the fight for Severodonetsk is not simply a question of who holds the city when the guns have stopped, but what price they have paid for their victory.

14:58
Evacuations halted after journalist killed - Ukraine official
The evacuation of civilians in Ukraine's Luhansk region has been suspended after a French journalist was killed, according to the regional governor.

Serhiy Haidai wrote on the messaging app Telegram that the journalist was killed when an armoured evacuation vehicle was hit by a Russian shell.

He said the car had been on its way to pick 10 people up.

We'll bring you more details on this as we get them.

15:19
French journalist killed by shrapnel - official
James Waterhouse
Reporting from Kyiv

Luhansk's regional governor Serhiy Haidai has posted graphic images showing a badly damaged lorry with a smashed windscreen and blood on the interior.

On the pavement is the body of a man, believed to be the French journalist Haidai says was killed by a Russian shell.

Officials say he suffered a fatal wound to the neck after shrapnel pierced the vehicle's armour.

The evacuation of civilians has always been a fragile operation in this war, with Moscow continually being accused of both breaking agreed ceasefires and deliberately targeting civilians, which it's always denied.

The Luhansk region is continuing to see some of the heaviest fighting, as the Russians move in on the city of Severodonetsk.

16:06
US not sending rocket systems that can reach into Russia - Biden
The US will not send Ukraine rocket systems that can reach into Russia, President Joe Biden says.

He was asked by a reporter if he was going to send long range rocket systems to Ukraine.

His comments follow reports that the Biden administration had been considering sending advanced long-range rocket systems to Kyiv.

You can read our story on it here.

Russia had said it saw any deliveries of heavy weapons as a provocative escalation.

Earlier Ukrainian defence adviser Yuriy Sak told the BBC his country needed so-called multi-launch rocket systems which have a longer range than what Ukraine has at the moment, "to redress the imbalance in artillery in the east".

16:17
Macron names French journalist killed in Luhansk
French journalist Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff, who was killed in shelling, is seen in this screengrab taken from a video released by BFM TV
Copyright: Reuters

Image caption: Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff, 32, worked for French news channel BFM TV

We reported earlier that a French journalist was killed in Luhansk, eastern Ukraine, after the armoured evacuation vehicle he was travelling in was hit by a Russian shell.

French President Emmanuel Macron has now named the journalist as Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff.

The 32-year-old was in Ukraine "to show the reality of the war", Macron said, adding Leclerc-Imhoff was "fatally shot" while on board a humanitarian bus, "alongside civilians forced to flee to escape Russian bombs".

Echoing Macron's sentiments, French Foreign Minister Catherine Colonna said her country condemned the journalist's "deeply shocking" death. She added:

France demands that a transparent investigation be undertaken as soon as possible to shed full light on the circumstances of this tragedy.

17:37
Important to remember the 'big picture' - Latvia PM
As the EU struggles to agree on an oil ban, Latvia’s Prime Minister says member countries must not get “bogged down” in their own personal interests.

Krisjanis Karins, who arrived earlier at the European Council, said it was important to remember the “big picture”.

Ukrainians were fighting for their independence and European values, he said.

The West, he suggested, must “starve Russia” of the funds to continue its war.

Latvia has been heavily dependent on Russian energy but it’s moving away from that, Mr Karins added.

“It’s going to cost us more. But it’s only money. The Ukrainians are paying with their lives.

“I also think we should sanction gas,” he told reporters.

18:01
Ukraine's fed up with EU wait - FM
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba with his French counterpart Catherine Colonna
Copyright: EPA
Image caption: Ukraine's foreign minister has been meeting his French counterpart Catherine Colonna in Kyiv

Away from the specific talks within the EU on a Russian oil ban, on the outside, Ukraine is fed up with "special solutions" and separate models for its integration into the European Union, the country's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba has said and Reuters reports.

His country needs "a clear legal affirmation" that it's part of the European integration project, such as the granting of candidate status, he says.

Ukraine began the process of applying to join the EU in February this year, four days after Russia's invasion.

French President Emmanuel Macron has said it could take decades for Ukraine to join the EU but has suggested it could join a "parallel European community" while awaiting a decision.

Macron has suggested this sort of scheme would allow non-EU members to join Europe's security architecture.

[DaffyVina]

22:06 30 May
Relative of ex-Russian leader Yeltsin quits Kremlin

Russia's former president Boris Yeltsin
Copyright: REUTERS/Gennady Galperin
Image caption: Former President Boris Yeltsin promised to turn the Soviet Union into a market economy and Russia into a democracy

Valentin Yumashev, the son-in-law of former Russian leader Boris Yeltsin, who helped President Vladimir Putin come to power, has quit his role as a Kremlin adviser, Reuters has reported.

Yumashev was an unpaid adviser with limited influence on Putin's decision-making, but his departure removes one of the last links to Yeltsin's rule inside Putin's administration, Reuters reports.

Yeltsin's rule, 1991-9 oversaw a period of liberal reforms, during which Russia opened up to the West.

Boris Yeltsin came to international attention as the Russian leader who took control of the country after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

22:31 30 May
What's happened today?

Hungary's Prime Minister Viktor Orban
Copyright: EPA/OLIVIER HOSLET

We're pausing our coverage of the invasion of Ukraine for now. Here are some of today's main developments:

• Hungary's opposition to a proposed ban of Russian oil imports has frustrated two days of EU talks in Brussels as the bloc tries to agree a sixth round of sanctions

• Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky has called for "greater unity" from EU leaders over the plans

• Turkey says it is willing to help Ukraine and Russia create "a secure sea route" for exporting Ukrainian agricultural products. Grain supplies have built up after the invasion disrupted Black Sea export routes

• French journalist Frédéric Leclerc-Imhoff has been killed by shrapnel from a Russian shell after it hit an evacuation car in Luhansk

• Russians have been moving in on the city of Severodonetsk as heavy fighting continues in the Luhansk region

Today's updates were brought to you by Chris Giles, Jack Burgess, Phelan Chatterjee, Tiffany Wertheimer, Alexandra Fouché, Gareth Evans, Adam Durbin, Sam Hancock and Claire Heald. (BBC)

[DaffyVina]

7:07
Welcome back
Hello and welcome back to our live coverage of the conflict in Ukraine. Here is the latest on what has been happening overnight:

• Russian separatists in the east of Ukraine say invading forces have now taken control of around a third of the city of Severodonetsk

• Luhansk regional governor Serhiy Haidai says the situation in the city is "as complicated as possible" and that the entire region is under continuous bombardment, the AFP news agency quotes him as saying on Telegram

• He also told Ukrainian state TV Russian troops were slowly advancing towards the centre of the city

• European Union leaders have agreed on a plan to block more than two-thirds of Russian oil imports

• In his nightly address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says the situation in Donbas remains extremely difficult, as Russian forces continue their offensive there

7:12
Severodonetsk under constant attack - governor
Let's take a look at the key eastern city of Severodonetsk now, where Russian forces are mounting a major offensive.

"The situation in Severodonetsk is as complicated as possible," Luhansk regional Governor Serhiy Haidai wrote on Telegram. He added that the entire region was under continuous bombardment - "air bombs, and artillery, and tanks. Everything".

"The main efforts of the Russians are now focused on establishing control over the city," he wrote.

He also spoke to Ukrainian state TV earlier, saying “the situation in the city remains very difficult" and Russian troops were advancing slowly towards the centre.

“The fighting goes on," he said.

Having failed to conquer all of Ukraine, Russian forces are now targeting Donbas - a region made up of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions. If Severodonetsk and the nearby city of Lysychansk fall, the whole of Luhansk would be occupied.

7:14
Severodonetsk troop withdrawal possible - governor
More now from the governor of the Luhansk region who has been speaking to Ukrainian TV.

"In Severodonetsk, a part of the city is already under control of the Russian army," he told the 1+1 channel.

“A few days ago they said they had seized the entire city – but this is not the case," he added. “We have our boys there – they’re fighting back. So, they [Russians] are unable to advance freely.”

“I don’t think that there is an encirclement risk [of Severodonetsk]; a [troop] withdrawal remains possible to Lysychansk," Serhiy Haidai said.

“All the remaining territory under Ukrainian control is being shelled," he added.

7:52
EU's oil ban - the key details
EU leaders have reached a deal on banning oil imports from Russia - here's a reminder of what's been agreed.

How much? More than two-thirds of Russian oil imports will be blocked immediately, with that number rising to 90% by the end of the year.

Not all oil: The ban will only affect oil that arrives by sea but not pipeline oil, following opposition from Hungary which is heavily reliant on Russian imports.

€400bn ($430bn, £341bn): That's how much the EU currently pays Moscow for oil and gas. Russia supplies 27% of the EU's imported oil and 40% of its gas.

Gas not included: But so far, no sanctions on Russian gas exports to the EU have been put in place, although plans to open a new gas pipeline from Russia to Germany have been frozen.

A tough process: EU members spent hours struggling to resolve their differences over the ban, with Hungary its main opponent. The compromise followed weeks of wrangling until the pipeline exemption was agreed

8:29
Progress slow but Russia holds gains in eastern Ukraine - MoD
In its latest assessment of the situation in Ukraine, the UK's Ministry of Defence (MoD) says Russia’s recent capture of Lyman supports its main operational effort, which it says is likely to remain surrounding Severodonetsk and closing the pocket around Ukrainian forces in the Luhansk region.

Heavy shelling in the city continues, while street fighting is likely to be taking place on its outskirts, it says. Progress has been slow, but gains are being held.

Russia has achieved greater local successes than earlier in the campaign by massing forces in a relatively small area, it adds, which forces Russia to accept risk elsewhere in occupied territory.

Its political goal is likely to fully occupy the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, the MoD says.

It adds that to achieve this, Russia will need to secure further challenging operational objectives beyond Severodonetsk, such as the key city of Kramatorsk and the main road between Dnipro and Donetsk.

8:38
Severodonetsk split in half by front line - official
More now on Severodonetsk, where Russian and Ukrainian troops are fighting inside the city.

If Severodonetsk and the nearby city of Lysychansk are taken by Russia then the entire Luhansk region in the east will fall under Russian control.

“Unfortunately, the front line has cut the city into two halves, but the city is still defending [itself], the city is still Ukrainian," city head Oleksandr Stryuk told Ukrainian TV.

He added that Russians have set up military positions in about one half of the city.

“The evacuation is suspended. Unfortunately, it’s impossible [to evacuate civilians]... because street fighting is continuing," he said.

8:53
Missiles with range of 70km 'more than enough' - Ukraine
US rockets with ranges of around 70km would be enough for the Ukrainian army to repel Russian offensives, according to a key advisor to Ukraine's President Zelensky.

Oleksiy Arestovych was reacting to President Biden's comments that the US would not send Ukraine rocket systems "that can strike into Russia".

Speaking to Russian lawyer Mark Feygin on his YouTube channel, Arestovych said MLRS (long-range multiple-rocket system) missiles that can strike up to 70km would be "more than enough for us".

"If they are not planning to give us 300[km], firstly - it may be only at this stage. And secondly, 70km would be more than enough," he said.

Zelensky and other Ukrainian officials have urged delivery of the MLRS to counter Russia's heavy bombardments in the eastern Donbas region.

But there are fears Russia would view deliveries of such heavy weapons as a provocative escalation - and risk drawing the US and its Nato allies into direct conflict with Moscow.

9:03
A grave situation in Severodonetsk - governor tells BBC

Image shows Lysychansk
Copyright: Getty Images
Image caption: Ukrainian troops may withdraw to nearby Lysychansk, the regional governor says

We've been hearing updates from Luhansk regional Governor Serhiy Haidai this morning, but the Today programme on BBC Radio 4 has managed to speak to him over the phone about the situation in Severodonetsk.

"[The Russians] are trying to attack the city from many sides. Unfortunately they've already entered the city. It's a grave situation there," he said.

"They shot an ambulance, we don't know what's happened to the doctors. They're not picking up their phones. A hospital has been smashed up. The situation is very difficult."

"But Ukrainian troops haven't left. For the time being, there is fighting going on inside the city," Haidai said.

When asked if the city was in the process of falling to Russia, he said: "It's war. You can't make such predictions. But if they have to withdraw to the other side of the river - closer to Lysychansk - in order to preserve troops, then they will probably do so."

9:21
Russians firing at us constantly - Ukrainian governor
More now from Luhansk Governor Serhiy Haidai who has been speaking to the BBC. He was asked about the potential of Severodonetsk falling to the Russians.

"[It] is the capital of Luhansk. For all of us, it will be a difficult and unpleasant moment if it falls," he said. "But winning the war overall is important - not just one battle."

"We won't stop. We'll keep fighting until we receive enough heavy weaponry from the West to stop the Russian army at a distance."

"We need long-range artillery. The Russians are firing at us from a distance constantly. They have an enormous reserve of shells and they just fire at our positions for hours," Haidai said.

"Only after that do they send in troops on the offensive. When long-range artillery arrives then we will be able to... stop the Russian army."