Russia is closing in on a key town in Ukraine's defensive line made vulnerable by the loss of Vuhledar, the British defence ministry says. Meanwhile, Vladimir Putin has signed off on increasing Russia's military spending to almost a third of the total budget.

The Biden administration’s authorization for Ukraine to use U.S. long-range missiles against Russia has escalated the Ukraine war and increased the likelihood of direct NATO-Russia conflict, according to Moscow.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says he wants to work “directly” with US President-elect Donald Trump and is open to his ideas, highlighting Kyiv’s eagerness to keep its most important ally onside as Russia intensifies its attacks.