Russia has advanced around Pokrovsk for many months, but has so far failed to entirely encircle or seize control of the city.

Kyiv said the French fighter, one of six in its air force, was performing a flight mission but was not shot down by Russian fire.

Russia has launched one of its largest aerial assaults on Ukraine in months, targeting Kyiv overnight into Monday.

Russian aviation faced big delays due to the threat posed by Ukrainian drones, while Moscow's attacks on Ukraine killed at least one person.

Russian President Vladimir Putin is stalling over a ceasefire. Meanwhile, Trump has changed his mind about sending weapons to Ukraine.

The Washington-based Institute for the Study of War noted that cooperation with China has allowed Russia to bypass Western sanctions on imports of electronics for drone production. Ukraine’s military intelligence estimates that Russia receives up to 65% of components for its Geran drones from China. Beijing rejects the claims.

RUSSIA and Ukraine will hold peace talks in Istanbul tomorrow following Donald Trump’s stern warning to warmonger Vladimir Putin. Any hopes for a breakthrough continue to appear bleak as