Russian attack on Kharkiv continues as Moscow says it has taken five villages

Ukraine says it is pushing back against assaults and battling for control of territory

Fierce fighting has continued into a second day on the fringes ofthe Kharkiv region in north-east Ukraine. Moscow said it had captured five villages, while Kyiv said it was pushing back against the attacks and battling for control of the territory.

Russia launched the armoured incursion early on Friday, an attack that may presage a broader push into the Kharkiv region or aim to draw away overstretched Ukrainian forces in the east where Moscow’s offensive is focused.