Kyiv's troops are pushing through heavy intense artillery fire from Russian forces to advance in the east of Ukraine, the commander of the country's armed forces has said. Colonel General Oleksandr Syrskyi said that despite meeting stuff resistance, Ukraine's ground forces are making "gradual advances in the direction of Bakhmut in the eastern Donetsk region. The city, which is now occupied by Russian forces, has gained symbolic significance for both Kyiv and Moscow having been the scene for some of the most intense fighting of the war. "The enemy fiercely clings to every centimetre, conducting intense artillery and mortar fire," Col Gen Syrskyi said in a statement. It comes after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted a video late on Thursday night in which Ukrainian soldiers said they had taken the village of Staromaiorske, which sits in the western park of Donetsk region the opposite side to Bakhmut. Russian military bloggers said artillery fire at the Ukrainian troops had effectively razed the village and reported more barrages Friday. Capturing the village, which is south of a cluster of settlements that Ukraine capture at the beginning of its counteroffensive last month, would give Ukraine a platform to push deeper into Russian-held territory. Fighting has intensified at multiple places along the more than 600-mile frontline, where Ukraine deployed its recently acquired Western weapons to push back Russia's troops. That includes the southern Zaporizhzhia region. However, Kyiv's troops are attacking without the air support it says is vital – and face an enemy that has had months to fortify their positions as Ukraine prepared its counter punch. Russia is trying to hold on to the territory it controls in the four provinces it illegally annexed in September: Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, Kherson and Luhansk. Col Gen Syrskyi said fighting that targets the enemy's artillery as well as its command and control structure is a priority as his troops probe Russian lines for weaknesses. "In these conditions, it is crucial to make timely management decisions in response to the situation at hand and take measures for maneuvering forces and resources, shifting units and troops to areas where success is evident, or withdrawing them from the enemy's fire," he said. Elsewhere, Mr Zelensky marked Ukraine's Statehood Day – which coincides with commemorations of the adoption of Christianity on lands that later became Ukraine, Russia and Belarus – by reaffirming the country's sovereignty. His words were a rebuke to Russian President Vladimir Putin, who used his claim that Ukraine didn't exist as a nation to justify his invasion. "Now, like more than a thousand years ago, our civilizational choice is unity with the world," Mr Zelensky said in a speech on a square outside St. Michael's Monastery in Kyiv. "To be a power in world history. To have the right to its national history, of its people, its land, its state. And of our children, all future generations of the Ukrainian people. We will definitely win!" Moscow also accused Kyiv of firing two missiles at southern Russia, with the Defence Ministry said it shot down a missile in the city of Taganrog, about 20 miles east of the border with Ukraine, and local officials reported 20 people were injured. The Russian Defence Ministry later said it downed a second missile near the city of Azov. Ukraine's secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, Oleksiy Danilov, blamed Russian air defense systems for the explosion in Taganog. Separately, an explosion was reported to have hit an oil refinery in the southwestern Russian city of Samara. In St Petersburg, African leaders pressed Russian President Vladimir Putin to move ahead with their peace plan aimed at ending Russia's invasion and to renew a deal on the export of Ukrainian grain that Moscow tore up last week. While not directly critical of Russia, the words on the second day of a summit with Mr Putin were more forceful than those previously voiced. "This war must end. And it can only end on the basis of justice and reason," African Union Commission Chairman Moussa Faki Mahamat said. At the summit, Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi urged Russia to revive the Black Sea grain deal. Since withdrawing from the deal, Russia has bombed Ukrainian ports and grain depots. Mr Sisi, whose country is a big buyer of grain via the Black Sea route, told the summit it was "essential to reach agreement" on reviving the deal. A senior Ukrainian official accused Russia on Friday of threatening civilian vessels in the Black Sea, urging the international community to condemn Moscow's actions. Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report Read More The Body in the Woods | An Independent TV Original Documentary The harrowing discovery at centre of The Independent’s new documentary Baby died after ‘extremely vulnerable’ mother gave birth alone in prison G20 ministers reach agreement on most, but not all, climate issues Why is Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin back in Russia?

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Bruno Fernandes’ stunning volley secured absentee-hit Manchester United a much-needed victory as Burnley’s wait for a Premier League win continued. Injuries and off-field issues have been compounded by poor performances in some tough fixtures, with the Red Devils losing four of their opening six matches in all competitions for the first time since 1986. United ended a run of three successive defeats at Vincent Kompany’s Burnley, where Erik ten Hag’s team were not entirely convincing but ran out 1-0 victors thanks to Fernandes’ moment of magic on Saturday night. The Portugal midfielder showed exceptional composure and technique when providing a fitting finish to a brilliant pass from Jonny Evans, who was making his first start for the club since 2015. The 35-year-old recently rejoined the club and thought he had scored shortly before Fernandes’ goal, only for the VAR to intervene in a first half that Burnley had held their own in. Zeki Amdouni struck a post during the opening period and Kompany’s side threatened towards the end of the second half, but the Manchester City great was unable to celebrate a late equaliser. United made a bright start after making the short journey up the M66, with Marcus Rashford striking into the side-netting and Fernandes forcing an early stop from James Trafford. “We want Glazers out” bellowed the away end as Burnley fans attempted to unsettle visiting goalkeeper Andre Onana days on from his costly clanger at Bayern Munich. The summer signing soon quietened those goading him, reacting well to stop Amdouni’s goalbound header into the ground from a Connor Roberts cross. Burnley were growing in confidence and ambition, nearly going ahead in the 17th minute when Aaron Ramsey slipped in Amdouni to hit a strike off the far post. Many inside Turf Moor had expected the net to bulge – something the majority were disappointed to see when it did in the 25th minute. Sergio Reguilon swung in a cross from the right that Evans was able to meet with a header past Trafford from four yards. The defender was mobbed but his celebrations were short-lived as the VAR ruled Rasmus Hojlund had interfered with play from an offside position. Burnley settled after that scare as lively Luca Koleosho mishit wide and Ramsey called Onana into action, only to go behind on the stroke of half-time. Evans took the ball and showed fantastic vision to clip a diagonal, left-footed pass from just outside the centre circle in Burnley’s half over to Fernandes behind. The United skipper tracked the ball over his shoulder and hit a perfect volley across Trafford from the right-hand side of the six-yard box to stun Turf Moor. Unfortunately for the neutral that moment of quality did not take the game up a level. There was a sharp intake of breath after Diogo Dalot’s lasered cross just evaded Hojlund, with Ameen Al Dakhil soon getting back just in time to stop the striker connecting with a Rashford header. Scott McTominay’s hopeful effort was easily stopped as the game petered out, with Burnley making a triple change in search of an equaliser. Two of those introductions were soon involved, with Onana rushing out to stop Jacob Bruun Larsen following a heavy touch before Jay Rodriguez and Evans collided following up. Sander Berge was the other alteration and directed narrowly over from an 82nd-minute corner, with Rodriguez blocked out by fellow substitute Raphael Varane soon after. Rashford and Hojlund saw efforts blocked before an acrobatic Fernandes attempt was saved in stoppage time as United won and kept a first clean sheet since beating Wolves in their opener. The final whistle went straight after substitute Manuel Benson’s hopeful effort was gobbled up. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Ireland secure brilliant victory over defending World Cup champions South Africa Henry Arundell impresses his captain with five-star show as England rout Chile Harry Kane stars with hat-trick and two assists as Bayern Munich batter Bochum

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