Russia has intensified its attacks in northeast ukraine rausing fears the city of kharkiv could soon be in range of its artillery. The border town of vovchansk has been heavily bombed. Kharkiv s governor has said russia trying to stretch the front line ukraines commander in the area has been replaced. In another sign of the growing strain on kyiv ukraine has said it will need Record Energy imports after russian attacks on infrastructure. As russia makes progress in the war, president putin is set to appoint a new defence minister, Andrey Belousov. Like his predecessor sergei shoigu, he doesnt have much experience in the field. But hes one of putins most influential economic advisers. And analysts say that may offer a clue to the russian leaders desire to fund his military ambitions. Well have more on the changes in russias defence hierachy in a moment first James Waterhouse has the latest on the fighting in ukraine. Its a front line at the moment which is more than 1000 kilometres wron