Russian forces must “reach Kyiv” in order to end the war with a Russian victory, the Kremlin has said.

Former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev, a top Putin advisor, said that capturing the capital in a “special military operation” was the only way for the country to achieve its goals.

He said Russians and Ukrainians are one nation and the “Kyiv regime must fall”.

The comments come after Russia seized the initiative on the battlefield and captured the city of Avdiivka, marking its first major gain since May last year.

Russia claimed to have recaptured a bridgehead on the left bank of the Dnipro, too, just days ahead of the second anniversary of the invasion.

Follow the latest updates below and join the conversation in the comments section