Zelenskyy vows to hold Bakhmut as Russians close in

A Ukrainian serviceman puts out a fire on a burning tank in Chasiv Yar, Donetsk region, Ukraine (Libkos/AP)

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has vowed not to retreat from Bakhmut as Russian forces encroached on the devastated eastern city they have sought to capture for six months at the cost of thousands of lives.

Less than a week ago, an adviser to Mr Zelenskyy said the defenders might retreat from Bakhmut and fall back to nearby positions.