Ukrainians flee shelling of Kupiansk as Russian forces try to slow advances

Ukrainian troops are piling pressure on retreating Russian forces and are poised to push further into Luhansk province from Kupiansk. Photograph: Kostiantyn Liberov/AP

Ukrainian civilians were fleeing heavy fighting on Sunday, as Russia’s armed forces tried to hold off a further dramatic advance by Ukrainian troops in the north-east of the country.

Cars packed with families streamed out of the city of Kupiansk, which Ukraine recaptured just over a week ago as part of a stunning counter-offensive. Residents said they had been forced to leave because of heavy day and night shelling. The Russians were bombarding the town and surrounding villages, they said.