Calls for Ukraine to become Nato member pile pressure onto Putin

NATO chiefs piled pressure on Vladimir Putin today by ratcheting up calls for Ukraine to become a member of the military alliance.

- Nicholas Cecil Political Editor

The West also stepped up the supply of military equipment as Russia was hit by fresh attacks on its soil by anti- regime forces.

Another wave of missile strikes was launched by Mr Putin’s military on Kyiv, killing three people, including an 11-year-old girl, as it prepared for a major Ukrainian counter-offensive which is thought could be pivotal in shaping the course of the conflict.

Professor Michael Clarke, ex-head of the Royal United Services Institute military think tank, told Sky News: “We are into the final days before the offensive, I’m fairly convinced, we are seeing Russian commanders make their decisions, they are placing their forces where they think will be needed and bringing their reserve to the areas where they think they will have to be.”