A French journalist has been killed in Ukraine, the regional governor of Luhansk has said.

Writing on the Telegram messaging service, Serhiy Haidai said the “accredited” reporter had suffered a “fatal wound to the neck”.

Shrapnel pierced an armoured vehicle and an evacuation effort had to be halted, Mr Haidai added.

A policeman was saved by his helmet.

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The governor wrote: “Today our armoured evacuation vehicle was going to pick up 10 people from the area and came under enemy fire.

“Shrapnel from shells pierced the armour of the car. A fatal wound to the neck was received by an accredited French journalist who was making material about the evacuation.

“A patrol policeman was rescued by a helmet.

“We are officially stopping the evacuation.”

The French foreign ministry said it was looking into the report of the journalist’s death.

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An intense battle is going on for the key city of Sievierodonetsk, with Russian forces entering the outskirts and pushing towards nearby Lysychansk, Mr Haidai has said.

Russian forces are reinforcing their positions in northeastern and southeastern outskirts of the city, while bringing in additional equipment and ammunition.

Two civilians were killed and another five wounded in the latest Russian shelling, Mr Haidai added on Monday.

Sievierodonetsk serves as Luhansk’s administrative centre. Luhansk and Donetsk comprise the eastern Donbas area, which Vladimir Putin is trying to conquer.

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