Russians advance into largest city in Donbas still in Ukrainian hands

Witnesses say tanks moving into Sievierodonetsk amid intense shelling and civilian casualties

• Russia-Ukraine war: latest updates

Russian tanks and troops have begun advancing into Sievierodonetsk, the largest city in Donbas still held by Ukraine, bringing fighting street by street as the Kremlin's forces continue to grind forwards in the east of the country.

Witnesses said Russian tanks were advancing towards the centre of the city one blast at a time, razing everything in their path that remains after intense shelling that Ukrainian authorities have said has led to conditions on the ground reminiscent of Mariupol.