Ukraine urges western allies to speed up decision on tanks as Russia attacks south east

Ukraine has urged western allies to speed up their decision on supplying it with German-made Leopard battle tanks – with one senior adviser warning that every hour of delay and caution was costing Ukranian lives.

Russia claims its forces have begun a new offensive in the southeastern region of Zaporizhzhia – bombarding the area with scores of rocket attacks over the last 24 hours.