Ukraine-Russia war – live: Putin unleashes new strikes on key town as biggest offensive in months rages on

Russia has pounded port and grain facilities in southern Ukraine, and launched new attacks on the eastern town of Avdiivka in one of its biggest offensive operations in months. Ukraine’s military said it had repelled more than 10 Russian attacks near the town where Moscow has redirected large numbers of troops, more than four months into a Ukrainian counteroffensive in the east and south. Avdiivka, in Donetsk, has become a symbol of resistance since Russia’s invasion. Earlier, Vladimir Putin arrived in Kyrgyzstan and is meeting Kyrgyz president Sadyr Zhaparov – his first time abroad since the International Criminal Court issued an arrest warrant for him in March over the deportation of children from Ukraine. The Kremlin has denied these accusations. Ukraine overnight prevented a Russian saboteur group from crossing its northeastern border in the Sumy region, the commander of the Joint Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said. “The saboteurs tried to cross the state border of Ukraine and intended to move further towards one of the civilian critical infrastructure facilities,” Lieutenant General Serhiy Naev wrote on the Telegram messaging app. Read More Could Putin be arrested? President to leave Russia for first time since international arrest warrant issued Russia loses vote to rejoin UN’s top human rights body despite Putin’s charm offensive with stolen grain Russian authorities seek to fine a human rights advocate for criticizing the war in Ukraine