Britain on Friday announced a “surge” of military support to Ukraine, as the war-ravaged country’s Western backers gathered to drum up more weapons and ammunition to fight off Russia's invasion and a U.

The UK and Germany are convening a meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group aimed at "piling pressure" on Vladimir Putin.

Britain on Friday announced a “surge” of military support to Ukraine, as the war-ravaged country’s Western backers gathered at NATO headquarters to drum up more weapons and ammunition to help fight off the Russian invasion.

Ukraine on Wednesday expanded on its claim that significant numbers of Chinese nationals are fighting for Russia’s invading army, saying it had gathered detailed intelligence on more than 150 mercenaries Moscow allegedly recruited through social media.

The statement came after Ukraine’s President said two Chinese men had been caught fighting alongside Russian forces in Donetsk.