Ukraine Live: Putin readies feared elite tank regiment for new Ukraine offensive

Rapid delivery and operationalisation of Western weapons in Ukraine “will be one of the key factors in this war”, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has said in his latest video address.

Speaking on his Telegram channel, Mr Zelensky thanked western allies for their “strong defence” pledges this week but called for “next week to be no less strong”.

He also praised the “extraordinary resilience” of Ukrainian fighters stationed on the eastern frontline, combating Russian offensives.

In a statement, he said: “It is very important to maintain the dynamics of defence support from our partners. Speed ​​of supply was and will be one of the key factors in this war.

“We have to speed up events, speed up the supply and discovery of new necessary weapon options for Ukraine.

“This week we have strong defence results with the United States, Germany, Poland, Canada, Belgium, Norway, Italy and more. We have to make the next week no less strong for our defence.”

On the situation in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, he added: “The situation is very tough. Bakhmutsky, Vugledarsky and other directions in the Donetsk region are under constant Russian assaults. Constant attempts to break through our defences.

“This can only be countered by extraordinary resilience and a full understanding that, defending Donetsk region, our soldiers are defending the whole of Ukraine.

“We are doing everything so that our pressure still outweighs the offensive capabilities of the occupiers.”