kraine has recaptured 53 settlements in the southern region of Kherson as its fightback in the largely Russian occupied region mounts, the regional governor has said.

Ukraine has pledged to conduct a major counter-offensive to retake the swathes of land Russia captured early in the war, using Western-made long-range weapons to hit Russian supply lines.

"As of now, 53 settlements have been confirmed as liberated," Dmytro Butriy, the acting governor, said on national television.

That figure was nine settlements more than the number he gave on 1 August, which appeared to indicate a quickening tempo of Ukrainian gains in the region.

That's all for tonight

Today's top stories included:

• Russia accuses US of 'direct involvement' in the war
• The first unblocked Ukraine grains shipment has reached Turkish waters
• Russia's supreme court has designated Ukraine's Azov battalion 'terrorists'
• Putin's ex-gymnast 'lover' and 25 Russian airline-run Airbus planes are sanctioned by the US
• Three British men are to stand trial in a Russian proxy court accused of being mercenaries
• Ukrainians have been killed in Russian strikes on an evacuation bus

06:44 PMFinland and Sweden's bid to join Nato backed by Italy's lower house of parliament

Finland and Sweden are a step closer to joining Nato after Italy's Chamber of Deputies ratified a bill approving their accession, which needs to be voted for by the parliaments of all 30 of its members.