Russian troops have reached the Ukrainian city of Toretsk, an anchor of Kyiv's defences in the eastern Donetsk region. Its capture could bring closer the prospect of Moscow securing the entire Donbas.

KYIV (Reuters) -Russian forces have entered the outskirts of the eastern Ukraine frontline city of Toretsk, Ukraine's military said late on Monday, less than a week after the fall of the bastion town of Vuhledar.

Russian troops have now entered Toretsk, a strategic hilltop city, and are pressing with assaults elsewhere in the Donetsk region.

President Vladimir Putin was hailed a 'tsar' on his 72nd birthday on Monday by some supporters who said the former KGB spy had raised Russia up from its knees and would deliver victory against the West in the Ukraine war.

On his 72nd birthday, Russian leader Vladimir Putin received a congratulatory message from influential ultra far-right Russian ideologue Alexander Dugin. In his post on Telegram, Dugin used the phrase “God save the Tsar,

US Vice President Kamala Harris has said that she would not agree to a bilateral meeting with Russian leader Vladimir Putin to talk about his war against Ukraine. Source: European Pravda, citing Harris' interview with CBS News Details: Harris stated that she would not engage in negotiations with Russian ruler Vladimir Putin to end the war without Ukraine being included in the discussions.

Vice President Kamala Harris in an interview with CBS News’ “60 Minutes,” said she would not meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to its war against Ukraine unless Kyiv was involved.

US Vice President Kamala Harris has said that she will not engage in bilateral talks with Russian dictator Vladimir Putin to negotiate an end to Russia's war against Ukraine. She ruled out any peace process that excludes Kyiv,