Russian forces advance in the east of Ukraine; Zelenskyy says Donbas situation ‘very difficult.’ Follow our live updates

Russian forces have likely captured most of the Ukrainian town of Lyman in the north of the Donetsk Oblast, according to the U.K. Defense Ministry. It is seen as likely to be a preliminary operation for the next stage of Russia’s Donbas offensive.

“Lyman is strategically important because it is the site of a major railway junction, and also gives access to important rail…