Russian forces are advancing on the towns of Vuhledar and Pavlivka in western Donetsk but are “unlikely” to secure a breakthrough, says the UK’s Ministry of Defence.
Moscow’s forces have claimed control of Blahodatne, a village north of Bakhmut, the defence ministry announces days after the Wagner group declared a success.
Russia says European powers should counteract “aggressive” Poland, and Baltics after Lithuania pushed for weapons deliveries to Ukraine.
Human Rights Watch accuses Ukraine of using banned antipersonnel landmines against Russian forces.
Russia claims control over Blahodatne village
Russia says its forces have taken control of Blahodatne, a village north of Bakhmut.
Blahodatne, about 5 km (3 miles) north of Bakhmut, was captured with the help of aerial support, Moscow’s defence ministry said.
On Saturday, the Wagner Group said its forces had taken control of Blahodatne, but Kyiv said it had repelled an attack on the village.
Al Jazeera could not independently verify the reports.
Russia to begin inspecting cars from regions bordering Ukraine
Russia will begin car inspections for weapons and explosives in regions with a high threat level, according to a presidential decree.
The decree, published on the government’s legislative portal, said that “inspections of vehicles using technical means for detecting weapons and explosives” would begin in regions where “a level of terrorist threat has been confirmed”.
Since the beginning of the conflict in Ukraine, the Russian government has designated a “yellow” threat level relating to confirmed information about a planned attack bordering or near Ukraine.
Russian officials have repeatedly described artillery and air attacks against Russian territory as “terrorism” by Ukraine.
Kyiv has neither confirmed nor denied its role in strikes on Russian territory.
‘Not practical’ to send Ukraine fighter jets, says UK
Britain does not believe it is practical to send its fighter jets to Ukraine, a spokesperson for Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said.
“The UK’s … fighter jets are extremely sophisticated and take months to learn how to fly. Given that, we believe it is not practical to send those jets into Ukraine,” the spokesperson told reporters.
“We will continue to discuss with our allies about what we think what is the right approach.”
Kyiv has indicated it would push for fighter jets to help its war efforts.
Boris Johnson to meet Republican lawmakers to increase support for Kyiv
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson will meet with Republican lawmakers this week to pressure US allies to sustain aid to Ukraine.
Johnson is scheduled to speak at a private Republican club in Washington on Tuesday evening, said Representative Joe Wilson, a member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee.
On Wednesday, Johnson will also discuss the need for “Western unity and support for Ukraine and what more can be done against the threat Russia poses” at the Atlantic Council think-tank.
Some members of the Republican party have called for an end to military and other assistance to Ukraine, which amounts to tens of billions of dollars.
