Hundreds flee Ukraine border area after Russia attack

Russian attacks in north-east Ukraine have prompted the evacuation of almost 1,800 people from the Kharkiv area, the regional governor has said.

Heavy fighting has continued in the border area following Russia's surprise incursions on Friday.

Kyiv has been expecting a Russian summer offensive for some time - including a possible attempt to capture Kharkiv, Ukraine's second city.

Russia says it has seized five villages near the town of Vovchansk.

The BBC has not been able to independently verify the claim.

Ukrainian artillery guns are now firing back. It is still not clear how far the Russians will advance - whether this is a probing attack or the start of something bigger.

The booms of exchanging fire echo loudly down the already bomb-damaged streets.

On Saturday Kharkiv regional head Oleh Syniehubov wrote on social media: "A total of 1,775 people have been evacuated."

Hundreds more remain in Vovchansk, just 6km (4 miles) from the Russian border.

Serhii, a resident, told the BBC that his home and vehicles had been destroyed by a Russian glide bomb. He and his wife survived.

He said he did not want to leave the site because he was afraid of what might happen to their four goats.

Friday's attack started with heavy bombing near Vovchansk followed by attacks by "scouting groups", Ukrainian officials say.

They think Russia had the capability to aggravate the situation in border areas but not to capture the city of Kharkiv itself.

Reports suggest Moscow is hoping to create a 10km (six-mile) buffer zone for its Belgorod region, after a series of Ukrainian cross-border attacks.

On Friday, the US announced a new $400m (£319m; €371m) military aid package for Ukraine.

It will be Washington's third instalment of aid to the country after months of political deadlock - adding to the previous package worth a total of $7bn sent in late April.

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken said the "urgently needed" aid would include air defence munitions, artillery rounds, anti-tank weapons and armoured vehicles.

On Friday, National Security Spokesman John Kirby told reporters that Russia would "make further advances in the coming weeks to try and establish a buffer zone along the Ukrainian border".

Moscow has been looking to capitalise on the delayed arrival of US weaponry by continuing to push forwards in the eastern Donetsk region.

The return of heavy fighting in the north-east further illustrates Russia's growing ambitions.