The fighting comes a day ahead of a planned parade in the Russian capital to mark the 80th anniversary of the end of World War Two - with President Vladimir Putin proposing a three-day ceasefire to coincide with the event. Ukraine has not agreed to the proposal and has pushed for a truce lasting at least 30 days.

Ukrainian drones attacked Moscow for the second consecutive night halting flights at four airports, Russian officials said, as the city prepares to host a major military parade expected to be attended by world leaders including China’s Xi Jinping.