Russia-Ukraine war live: US does not expect significant Russian gains this year; Lukashenko arrives in China
by Léonie Chao-Fong (now); Martin Belam and Samantha from on (#699RM)
Pentagon official says war now a grinding slog'; Belarus president to meet Xi Jinping
The regional government in Sumy, in Ukraine's north-east, recorded 36 strikes on its territory in overnight Russian shelling, according to reports from Ukraine's state broadcaster, Suspilne.
The US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, on Tuesday pledged support for Kazakhstan's independence on a trip to boost influence in central Asia, which has been rattled by Russia's invasion of Ukraine.
This is Martin Belam taking over the live blog in London from my colleague Samantha Lock in Sydney. You can contact me at martin.belam@theguardian.com
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