Ukraine fears that any pause in fighting would result in the Russians hitting back harder once they fall 

Ukraine has ruled out a ceasefire deal with Moscow over fears a lull in fighting would allow Russian troops to regroup. 

Mykhailo Podolyak, an adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, said Russia would only hit Ukraine harder if a pause were agreed. 

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He also ruled out a deal that would cede territory to President Vladimir Putin.

Fighting resumed around Kharkiv after a Russian counterattack (Image: Getty Images)

Denis Pushilin, the pro-Kremlin head of the separatist part of Donetsk, claimed 2,439 people who were removed from the factory are now in custody.

Despite hopes that they will be sent back to Ukrainian-held territory, it looks like the soldiers will now be brought to justice.

That means the Kremlin now has a land bridge between mainland Russia and Crimea, which it annexed from Ukraine in 2014. 

The capture of the devastated city will also free up Russian fighters for the major offensive currently taking place across the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine, although the UK Ministry of Defense (MoD) says these troops need to be “reequipped” with what can be one “lengthy process”. 

More news from the weekend:

• Russia has stepped up its offensive in the Donbass region, with a new major attack reported in Luhansk province. The British Ministry of Defense says the city of Severodonetsk – near Luhansk – has become a tactical priority for Russia after its victory at Mariupol
• Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Moscow was taking “appropriate countermeasures” after Finland and Sweden applied to join NATO. He said Russia will form 12 units and divisions in its western military district – near its border with Finland – and is working to improve the combat strength of its troops in the region
• Western officials believe 50 Syrian barrel bomb “experts” have been dispatched to Russia. The Guardian has reported. The indiscriminate weapon has caused hundreds of deaths and devastated civilian areas during Syria’s civil war, with intelligence agencies suggesting Russia may now be trying to use a similar tactic in Ukraine
• The Kremlin has banned Morgan Freeman from visiting Russia under an updated “stop list” of US officials and celebrities
• British Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said Moldova should be “armed to NATO standards”. Interview with the Daily Telegraph. Ms Truss said it would help Ukraine’s southwestern neighbor, which is not a NATO member but has applied to join the EU, to protect itself against Russian aggression.
• She also revealed that Britain’s allies were discussing how to help smaller nations defend against Russia.

Support people fleeing the devastating conflict in Ukraine: donate to the DEC appeal 

Disasters Emergency Committee (DEC) charities and their local partners are present in Ukraine and neighboring countries, providing food, water, shelter and medical assistance.