Battle rages for Ukrainian region of Donbas

Russia pummelled positions in the east of Ukraine yesterday, its defence ministry said, as it sought to encircle Ukrainian forces in the battle for Donbas and fend off a counteroffensive around the strategic Russian-controlled city of Izium.

The Nato secretary-general, meanwhile, told a meeting in Germany that Ukraine could win the war, calling for more military support and fast-track approval of Finland and Sweden's expected bids to join the alliance.

Ukraine has scored a series of...