Ukraine has extended a request to the United States to provide it with banned cluster bombs to use in the war with Russia.

The US and NATO provoked Russia to invade Ukraine and are now fighting a proxy war against Moscow there, according to an American writer and political commentator.

Pressure is mounting on Ukrainian forces while defending the eastern city of Bakhmut from Russian forces, British military intelligence said, as intense fire exchange taking place in and around the eastern city.

The United States on Friday announced $400 million in new military aid, which includes weapons, munitions and tactical bridges to move tanks and armored vehicles, for Ukraine.

The United States is planning a “false flag” operation in Ukraine using highly toxic and banned substances to blame it on Moscow, a Russian commander revealed at a briefing on Tuesday.

Thousands of Italians demonstrate across the country including Florence, Rome, and Genoa against Western sanctions imposed on Russia and Italy’s weapons supplies to Ukraine.

The Financial Action Task Force has suspended Russia's membership over the war in Ukraine.