The Latest Breaking News from Kharkiv

Rescue operations become ever more dangerous in the town at the centre of Russia’s recent offensive in the Kharkiv region

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in an exclusive interview with AFP on Friday he expects Russia to step up its offensive in the northeast and warned Kyiv only has a quarter of the air defences it needs to hold the front line.

The latest bombings come as Russian President Putin says aim of Kharkiv offensive is to create a buffer zone.

Tensions escalate in Ukraine as Putin's buffer zone plan in Kharkiv raises fears of conflict.

On a trip to China, Putin said the assault was direct retaliation for Ukrainian shelling of Russia's border regions and that Moscow was trying to create a "security zone".

The country’s foreign ministry said the supply of long range weapons to Ukraine by the UK and US had led to an escalation in the conflict

As the war enters its 813th day, these are the main developments.

Ukraine accuses invaders of killing civilians and setting up human shields; sanctions over North Korean arms supply to Russia. What we know on day 814

Russia's surprise assault in Ukraine's Kharkiv region leads to intense fighting, civilian evacuations, and escalating violence.