Putin denies plans to capture Ukrainian city of Kharkiv

Vladimir Putin says the offensive Russia launched a week ago in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region is not aimed at capturing the city of Kharkhiv. Speaking during his trip to China, he insisted it’s aimed at creating a buffer zone to protect the nearby Belgorod region – which Russia said was hit by Ukrainian drones overnight, along with Crimea.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s President signed two laws allowing prisoners to join the army and increasing fines for draft dodgers, in an effort to increase troop numbers.