Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has told all civilians still living in parts of the eastern Donetsk region under Ukrainian control to evacuate.

According to foreign media, Telegrafi reports, speaking during a late-night speech from Kiev, Zelensky warned of an intensification of fighting.

"The more people leave the Donetsk region now, the less people the Russian army will have time to kill," he said.

The region has seen heavy "clashes" amid a slow advance by Russian forces, who already control large parts of it.

"We will use all available options to save as many lives as possible and limit Russian terror as much as possible," the president added.

Zelensky's intervention comes after Russia invited UN and Red Cross officials to investigate the deaths of 50 Ukrainian prisoners of war (POW) in another part of the Donetsk region held by Russian-backed separatists.

The troops were killed in unclear circumstances during an attack on a prison in Olenivka, with both sides blaming each other.

Speaking on Saturday evening, Russian defense officials said Moscow would welcome an "objective investigation" into the incident.

The Red Cross said on Friday it was seeking access to the Russian-run detention facility and the surviving detainees - but was not immediately granted permission.

The Olenivka prison camp is controlled by the Russian-backed self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR).

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Telegraph

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