Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky welcomed new oil sanctions on Russia by the UK and US, thanking the two allies for their “unwavering support” against Russia’s war machine.

Washington announced a comprehensive new sanctions package against Russia’s oil industry on Friday with trade restrictions imposed on nearly 200 Russian vessels, dozens of traders, some senior Russian oil executives, and two major oil companies.

The UK also imposed its own restrictions on the Russian oil giants – Gazprom Neft and PJSC Surgutneftegas.

Mr Zelensky spoke to Joe Biden just days before he leaves office to be replaced by Donald Trump and said the sanctions package would directly affect how Kremlin bankrolls the war.

“By sanctioning two major Russian oil companies, the UK delivers yet another significant disruption to Putin’s ability to finance aggression,” Mr Zelensky said.

Meanwhile, Russia accused Ukraine of carrying out a missile strike on a supermarket in the Russian-controlled city of Donetsk with US-supplied weapons.

Dashcam footage posted by a driver nearby appeared to show the moment the supermarket was struck, with an ensuing large explosion and flames soaring into the sky.