Ukraine-Russia war latest: Putin’s forces advance in key eastern town as Kyiv’s troops plead for ammunition

Russian forces have broken through Ukrainian positions defending the strategically important eastern city of Chasiv Yar .

After months of bombardments , the Kremlin ’s army pushed back forces from part of the city, Ukraine ’s military spokesman announced.

Nazar Voloshyn said: “It became impractical to hold the canal neighbourhood after the enemy entered it, because it threatened the lives and health of our servicemen and the positions of our defenders were destroyed.

“The command decided to pull back to more protected and prepared positions, but even there the enemy does not stop its active combat actions.”

Holding the city was deemed crucial for Ukraine, with the site a highly sought-after due to its strategic location and elevated position.

The commander of a Ukrainian brigade operating near Chasiv Yar had said his forces were in need of ammunition as President Volodymyr Zelensky bemoaned the time it was taking for equipment to reach the front line.

Ukraine is now receiving Western weaponry and ammunition after assistance from Washington was halted for months by disputes in the US Congress, which announced its latest $2.3 billion military aid package this week, including artillery rounds, interceptor missiles and anti-tank weapons.