Ukraine updates

 Russia-Ukraine War News Live Updates: Russian-installed authorities order all residents of the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson to leave immediately, news agency AP reported on Friday.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Zelenskyy urged the West to warn Russia not to blow up a dam that would flood a large area of southern Ukraine, reported Reuters. In a television address, Zelenskyy said Russian forces had planted explosives inside the huge Nova Kakhovka dam, which holds back an enormous reservoir, and were planning to blow it up. However, Russia has accused Kyiv of rocketing the dam and planning to destroy it in what Ukrainian officials called a sign that Moscow might blow it up and blame Kyiv. Neither side produced evidence to back up their allegations.

In other news, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke for the first time since May and a top Russian diplomat said the call was needed to eliminate misunderstandings, TASS news agency reported. The Pentagon declined to offer specifics beyond saying that Austin, who initiated the conversation, emphasised a need for lines of communication amid the war in Ukraine.

Russia appears to be preparing to remove all military "elements" from the west bank of the Dnipro river in southern Ukraine, a US-based think tank reported; Ukraine claims up to 2,000 Russian reservists have arrived to "replenish losses" in Kherson.

IMF mission to Ukraine: Productive talks

The International Monetary Fund says it has had productive talks with Ukrainian authorities.

The group met in Vienna this week and will continue to work in coming weeks on Ukraine's request for help

IMF mission chief Gavin Gray said the team discussed its findings with finance minister Serhiy Marchenko and governor of the National Bank of Ukraine Andriy Pyshnyi.

He said Russia's invasion had caused tremendous human suffering and severe economic impact, with the fiscal deficit rising to unprecedented levels.

But IMF officials also encouraged Ukraine to avoid measures that might erode tax revenues.

EU promises €18bn for Ukraine next year

The European Union has vowed to give €18bn to Ukraine next year to keep the country running as it fights off Russian troops.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen made the announcement after the bloc's 27 leaders met in Brussels.

She said the EU had so far given €19bn, adding: "It is very important for Ukraine to have a predictable and stable flow of income."

It is estimated Ukraine needs about €3-4bn a month "for the basics" and the EU will finance €1.5bn of this, with the rest to come from other countries and international institutions.

"That will give a total of €18bn for the next year - an amount Ukraine can count on and where there is a stable and reliable, predictable flow of income," she said.

The bloc is divided over further strengthening sanctions on Russia and Iran over claims that Russia is using Iranian-made drones in its war.

Poland and the three Baltic states suggested banning Russian diamond imports and phasing out steel trade more quickly, but Belgium and Italy are among those opposed.

Hungary is against any sanctions on Russia, while Germany and France have said current measures already go far.

What is happening in Kherson?

In the last hour, we mentioned that Ukraine had hit a key bridge near Kherson - so here's an overview of what is happening in the southern region.

Ukrainian forces have continued to pile pressure on Russian positions in the occupied region, targeting resupply routes across the Dnipro river.

Ukraine has long trailed a full-scale counteroffensive on the region, hoping to take back control. The city of Kherson was one of the first urban areas captured by Moscow's forces and remains the largest city under Russian occupation. It is a key target for both sides due to its key industries and major river port.

The region of Kherson has been illegally annexed by Russia, and Vladimir Putin imposed martial law there earlier this week in an attempt to assert Russian authority.

In recent weeks, Ukraine has targeted key crossings along the Dnipro river to cut off Russian resupplies.

The Antonivskyi Bridge - a main route from Crimea to Russian-held territories in southern Ukraine - was struck late last night.

Russian authorities have set up ferry crossings and pontoon bridges to ferry supplies to Kherson after the bridge was made inoperable.