Fighters from Russian military contractor Wagner Group operating in Mali are destabilising the region, Western officials say.

The mercenary group, who are also operational in Ukraine, are contributing alongside Mali’s armed forces to try to stem a decade-long insurgency by Islamic extremists.

However, the group has faced allegations of indiscriminate violence against civilians, including one incident in March where Mali’s armed forces and foreign contractors killed an estimated 300 men, according to analysis from Human Rights Watch.

A report by the U.S. Military Academy’s Combating Terrorism Center, which studies extremist violence, said that Wagner Group’s forces are struggling to make significant gains in the region, with jihadi violence increasing.

The report adds that up to 1,000 mercenaries have been deployed and the Wagner Group is being paid nearly $11 million a month to provide security and training.

US Undersecretary of State Victoria Nuland told AP: “There are broad reports of human rights abuses across the region where they are working,’’

“We worry that these forces are not interested in the safety and security of the people of Mali but, instead, are interested in enriching themselves and strip-mining the country and are making the terrorism situation worse.’’

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Ukrainian officials are reporting the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv is currently facing missile attacks on infrastructure facilities.

Deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential office, Kyrylo Tymoshenko, said on Telegram that a missile attack on critical infrastructure in the capital was underway. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko said that “explosions were heard in Dniprovskyi district, left bank of Kyiv.” It has not been immediately clear whether the explosions heard were caused by the Russian missile strikes or by air defense systems operating in response.

The Ukrainian capital has not been targeted for an attack since the start of January.

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Russian dependence on crude oil revenues may prompt a hike in taxes to support military spending, say economists.

Oil is Russia’s largest export, with its value decreasing by 20 per cent after Western sanctions restricting Russia’s ability to finance its invasion of Ukraine.

Russian private bank, Alfa Bank said in a note to Reuters: “The growing dependence of the budget on oil raises concerns,” warning that a decline in revenue from gas and oil product exports “looms on the horizon.”

Alfa Bank’s chief economist, Natalia Orlova, told reporters: “When there is a big gap between the actual price (of oil) and the balancing price, it cannot be sustainably covered by borrowing.

“Some measures are needed to adjust fiscal policy, either by cutting spending or looking for additional revenues.”

Renaissance Capital economists also added that last year’s budget, which increased defence spending, has raised suggestions of higher taxes in the medium term.

A budget analysis has shown Moscow is predicted to spend a combined 9.4 trillion roubles (£109.3 billion) on defence and security this year alone - nearly a third of overall spending, suggesting less money allocated for health, education and research.

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Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky wants to visit the UN to address a high-level meeting of the General Assembly on the eve of the first anniversary of Russia's invasion if the security situation permits.

First deputy foreign minister Emine Dzhaparova told the Associated Press that many factors need to be in place for him to come, citing first and foremost the military situation on the ground and a warning from Ukraine's intelligence service that Russia is planning "a very serious offensive in February".

"Our president would want to come, he has a will or intention to come," she said, "but it's still a question if there will be a security situation that will allow him to come."

Russia has claimed its forces have taken control of Soledar in eastern Ukraine, in what would be a rare battlefied success for Moscow after months of setbacks.

Ukraine denied the claims and said its troops were still fighting in the Donetsk salt-mining town, which has been the focus of a relentless Russian assault.

Moscow has painted the battles for Soledar and the nearby city of Bakhmut as key to capturing the entire Donbas, encompassing the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk – a priority of Vladimir Putin’s invasion.

Kyiv has instead sought to play up how many Russian troops have had to be sacrified in the effort. Western officials say victory for Moscow in the two towns would be more symbolic than strategic.

Liam James has more.

Former British prime minister Boris Johnson is reportedly planning a trip to Ukraine to visit president Volodymyr Zelensky despite concerns about him undermining Rishi Sunak's authority.

Mr Johnson has told friends he intends to travel to the capital Kyiv in the coming months to show his public support for the country against its Russian aggressors, The Guardian reported.

Ukrainian sources said that the former PM “had an intention” to travel to Kyiv but they had “no concrete information” yet on dates. Mr Zelensky and MR Johnson regarded each other as “friends”.

Germany will continue to “weigh every step carefully” and consult with its allies on further weapons deliveries to Ukraine, Chancellor Olaf Scholz said yesterday as he faces mounting pressure to approve German-made battle tanks for Kyiv.

Germany has given Ukraine substantial military aid since Russia invaded, including howitzers, Gepard self-propelled anti-aircraft guns and the first of four IRIS-T surface-to-air missile systems. Last week, it announced that it would send 40 Marder armored personnel carriers — a step that came alongside similar moves by the US and France — and as well as a Patriot air defense missile battery.

But critics, some inside Germany's governing coalition, have long complained of Scholz's perceived hesitancy to take the next step when it comes to weapons deliveries.

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky said that the battle for the eastern towns of Bakhmut and Soledar in the country’s Donetsk region is still ongoing contrary to Russia’s claims.

Mr Zelensky, in his nighttime address, said: “The tough battle for Donetsk region continues, the battle for Bakhmut and Soledar, for Kreminna, for other towns and villages in the east of our country continues.

“Although the enemy has concentrated its greatest forces in this direction, our troops – the Armed Forces of Ukraine, all defense and security forces – are defending the state.”

British prime minister Rishi Sunak has reportedly agreed to deliver a squadron of tanks to Ukraine to aid the country’s efforts in re-taking territory lost to Russian forces.

Four British Army Challenger 2 main battle tanks will reportedly be sent to eastern Europe immediately, with eight more to follow shortly afterward.

According to The Sun, a Downing St source said Mr Sunak will inform Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky about the plan on Saturday.

Belarusian president Alexander Lukashenko may enter the conflict in Ukraine if Kyiv decides to “invade” either country, a Russian foreign ministry official has said.

Ukrainian troops are taking part in drills near the Belarusian border, preparing for what Kyiv fears will be a new Russian offensive launched from Moscow’s closest ally.

Russia used Belarus as a springboard to invade Ukraine last February and since October has deployed troops in Belarus for joint military drills.