Ukraine-Russia war – live: G7 vows support for Kyiv as Moscow admits its forces have fallen back near Bakhmut

The G7 finance leaders promised support for Ukraine in a show of unity against Russia’s war as Moscow acknowledged that some of its soldiers have fallen back north of the city of Bakhmut. “We call for an immediate end of Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine, which would clear one of the biggest uncertainties over the global economic outlook,” the G7 ministers said in a statement. Russian defence ministry spokesperson, Igor Konashenkov, said Ukraine had launched an assault north of Bakhmut with more than 1,000 troops and up to 40 tanks, a scale that if confirmed would amount to the biggest Ukrainian offensive in some time. The Russians had repelled 26 attacks but troops in one area had fallen back to “regroup” in more favourable defensive positions near the Berkhivka reservoir northwest of Bakhmut, Mr Konashenkov said. It is the first admission from Moscow’s defence ministry that Ukraine has been successfully regaining ground around Bakhmut, which Russia has been trying to take control of for months. Read More UK to send Ukraine long-range Storm Shadow cruise missiles, defence secretary confirms Is Russia competing at Eurovision and can Russian viewers vote? Russian woman who left note on grave of Putin's parents convicted amid dissent crackdown