Russia warns the west is taking a "colossal risk" by supplying Ukraine with F-16 jets.

A top Russian minister has warned that giving Ukraine F-16 fighter jets would be a "colossal risk" for western countries, even as Washington and London reiterated their commitment to provide the beleaguered country the military hardware it needs.

The UK prime minister, Rishi Sunak, reportedly had another conversation with the president of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, on the need for the jets during the G7 summit in Japan on Saturday, according to Downing Street. The president of Ukraine has been urging western partners to provide the aircraft for months.

The US president, Joe Biden, informed its allies on Friday that Washington will support a combined international effort to train Ukrainian pilots to fly the F-16 and other modern fighter jets. Russia has responded with a warning.

Alexander Grushko, Russia's deputy foreign minister, is quoted as saying by the nation's state-run news outlet Tass: "We perceive that western countries are still adhering to the escalation scenario. It entails enormous risks for them. In any event, this will be considered in all of our plans, and we have all the tools required to accomplish the objectives we have established.

The destroyed eastern city of Bakhmut was still under the control of Ukrainian soldiers on Saturday, the country's military confirmed, denying reports that Russia's Wagner private military unit had taken complete control of the area.