Ukraine's defence ministry says a senior Russian military commander has been killed in a battle on the edge of the eastern city of Kharkiv.

Maj-Gen Vitaly Gerasimov, 41st Army chief of staff was killed along with other Russian officers.

Russia has not commented, but if confirmed he would be their second officer of this rank to be killed.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has begun evacuating civilians from the town of Irpin near Kyiv and the northern city of Sumy.