This live blog is closed, thank you for joining us. These were the updates on the Russia-Ukraine war on Thursday, February 9.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, on a tour of European capitals, tells leaders at a summit in Brussels that Europe’s freedom depends on that of Ukraine.
- Zelenskyy says Kyiv’s European allies have expressed “readiness” to send aircraft.
- Russian forces have significantly stepped up attacks in eastern Ukraine and are trying to break through defences near Kreminna, says the Ukrainian governor of Luhansk.
- The Russian embassy in London warns of “military and political consequences” after UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said “nothing is off the table”, including combat aircraft for Ukraine.
- Russia’s mercenary Wanger Group says it has stopped recruiting prisoners to fight in Ukraine.