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.

Residents of Kyiv went about life on Friday with flashlights and candles after Russia fired nearly 200 missiles and drones at Ukraine’s energy infrastructure a day earlier, leaving more than a million households without power.