Ukraine says three killed in latest Russian missile strike

Intensifying attacks reported on holdout eastern town of Vuhledar

Vuhledar, where Ukraine says fighting has intensified. Reuters

Three civilians were killed in a missile attack on eastern Ukraine on Saturday, Ukrainian officials said, as they push for ever greater military support from the West.

The attack by Russia on Kostyantynivka hit a residential area and damaged four high-rise buildings, a hotel, garages and private cars, said Donetsk regional governor Pavlo Kyrylenko. He said two other people were injured.

It came as Ukraine warned of a possible Russian offensive timed with the February 24 anniversary of the invasion.

Anton Geraschchenko, an aide at Ukraine's interior ministry, said Russia had "intensified attacks" on the holdout town of Vuhledar in Donetsk.

Western governments preparing to send their main battle tanks to Ukraine have been urged to provide them as quickly as possible to thwart a renewed advance by Russian troops.

"They are preparing for maximum activation ... they believe that by the anniversary they should have some achievements," Oleksiy Danilov, secretary of Ukraine's national security and defence council, told local radio.

Ukraine is poised to get dozens of German-made Leopard tanks after German Chancellor Olaf Scholz relented to massive pressure and lifted his veto this week. The US has promised 31 of its Abrams tanks.

Weapons and drones supplied to Ukraine - in pictures

Turkeysold its Bayraktar TB2 armed drones to Ukraine. They can fly at an altitude of 7,500 metres and swoop down to attack targets. AFP

The US also gave 700 of its Switchblade kamikaze drones. AP

Cheap commercial drones like the DJI Mavic series have been modified in Ukraine. AFP

Germany will follow the US in providing a Patriot missile defence system, pictured above, to Ukraine. Reuters

FIM-92 Stinger rockets have been donated to help Ukrainian infantry engage aircraft and drones. The shoulder-launched missiles can shoot down aircraft. Photo: US Army

Germany donated 25 Flakpanzer Gepard all-weather-capable self-propelled anti-aircraft gun. AFP

The High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System, or Himars, can simultaneously launch several precision-guided missiles. The US has given Ukraine projectiles with a range of about 130 kilometres. EPA

M777 howitzers and about 300,000 shells have been donated to give Ukraine an accurate artillery platform with a range of 50 kilometres. EPA

Ukraine has been sent at least 5,000 of the anti-tank weapons known as NLAWs. These shoulder-launched rockets have proved deadly in the field. PA

Ukrainian troops have also received thousands of Javelin anti-tank missiles. Bloomberg

Poland and the Czech Republic sent Russian-made T72 tanks, which Ukraine has used for decades, to ease integration and cut down training time. EPA

France as announced its plan to give AMX-10 RC “scout tanks” to Ukraine. "This is the first time that western-made armoured vehicles are being delivered in support of the Ukrainian army," a French official said. AFP

Shortly after the French, the US said it would send Bradley fighting vehicles to provide "a level of firepower and armour that would bring advantages on the battlefield”. Reuters

The UK sent their phased-out Saxon armoured vehicles. They found new life protecting infantry units in transit and dealing with tough off-road conditions. Getty Images

Denmark has supplied Harpoon anti-ship launchers to help Ukraine defend its coasts. AFP

The US sent 20 Soviet and Russian made Mi-17 helicopters to Ukraine that had initially been bought for the Afghan government in 2010. AP

Germany has also supplied its latest version of the IRIS-T air defence system designed to shoot down missiles at altitudes up to 20 kilometres. Getty Images

Ukraine has also been given thousands of small arms, bullet proof vests, medical kits, litres of fuel, granades and other weapons systems. Reuters

But Ukraine is already turning its attention to its next demand, western fighter jets, with an air force spokesman saying this should start with two squadrons of 12 jets.

These would ideally be American F-16 jets, Yuriy Ihnat was quoted as saying by Spanish newspaper El Pais. Western powers have so far played down the prospect of sending their aircraft.

Mr Scholz on Saturday defended his cautious stance and said he would continue to carefully weigh up support for Ukraine against the risks of escalation.

"Many citizens are very worried. They want peace in Europe and do not want the war to come closer. They want their government and chancellor to hold their nerve. That is exactly my promise," he said.

"Trust the government, and trust me. We always make decisions that are carefully considered and internationally co-ordinated."

European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, who will be in Kyiv for an EU-Ukraine summit next week, said on Saturday that Ukraine had the bloc's unconditional support.

"We stand by Ukraine's side without any ifs and buts," she told a meeting of German conservatives.