Russian troops failed to make major gains in past 24 hours - UK intelligence

Intelligence update

"Despite increased activity, Russian forces have made no major gains in the last 24 hours as Ukrainian counter-attacks continue to hinder their efforts," Defence Intelligence (DI) of the UK's ministry of defence says in its latest briefing.

It says Russia's air and naval forces "have not established control in either domain owing to the effectiveness of Ukraine's air and sea defence reducing their ability to make notable progress".

And "despite their stated conquest of Mariupol [in south-eastern Ukraine], heavy fighting continues to take place frustrating Russian attempts to capture the city".

This is "slowing their [Russia's] desired progress" in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region, DI adds.

Earlier this week, Russia announced a second stage of its "special military operation" in Ukraine, saying it would now focus on taking control over Donbas.

This came after Russian troops had pulled out from north-eastern Ukraine, after failing to take major cities - including the capital Kyiv - there.