One of Ukraine’s most senior military commanders has said that their offensive against Russian military forces is not going as fast as they would like.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi said that Russian defences, including minefields, mean that quick results are “practically impossible”.

But, having led the defence of Kyiv at the start of the Russian invasion and masterminding Ukraine’s surprise counter-attack in Kharkiv last summer, General Syrskyi said he hopes Ukraine will be able to recapture the city of Bakhmut, which