Ukraine’s deputy prime minister has accused Russia of committing acts of “genocide” during its invasion of her country.

Speaking on Sky’s Sophy Ridge programme, Olha Stefanishyna said she “absolutely believes” that acts of genocide have been committed by the Russian regime, and said that President Vladimir Putin and leaders in the Kremlin “are war criminals”.

Stefanishyna said that the number of “civilian victims” killed and injured during the Russian invasion has been “far greater than the armed forces of Ukraine,” and alleged that “women have been raped for hours and then murdered” by Russian soldiers.

But she pledged that “Ukraine will resist for as long as needed” and said the country’s public prosecutor will seek to charge Russian troops suspected of war crimes, noting that some 2,000 cases have already been opened.

She also praised Turkish and Israeli leaders for their roles in seeking to broker a peace deal, but warned that Ukraine will not agree to any settlement which would see Russia claim its territory, which she said was the country’s “red line” in discussions.

However, she said there may be some space for discussions on the “reintegration” of separatist eastern regions which have been “occupied” for the past eight years.