Russia said on Friday it had seized five more settlements in Ukraine over the past week, while Ukraine reported harsh situations on the frontline over the past 24 hours, saying they are taking all necessary measures to repel Russian attacks.
The Russian Defense Ministry said in a briefing that its forces delivered 36 combined strikes by precision weapons and unmanned aerial vehicles, hitting Ukrainian military-industrial enterprises, energy facilities, military airfield infrastructure, production workshops and storage facilities of unmanned aerial vehicles.
Russian troops seized five settlements in regions of Lugansk, Donetsk and Zaporizhzhia over the week, the ministry reported.
In the past day, the Ukrainian forces lost more than 525 people and 17 armored vehicles of various types in the Kursk region, according to the report.
On the same day, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that as of Friday afternoon, Ukrainian forces had engaged in 112 battles with Russian forces.
The situations on the frontline remained harsh, with the most intense fighting especially in the direction of Kurahovo in eastern Ukraine, according to the Ukrainian report.
With manpower and equipment advantages, Russian troops continued to launch attacks on the Ukrainian positions, said the report, adding Ukrainian forces are taking all necessary measures to stop Russian offensives.
In the meantime, Ukrainian operations in the Russian region of Kursk are still ongoing.
Russia claims control of settlements, Ukraine reports harsh conditions on frontline
Russia claims control of settlements, Ukraine reports harsh conditions on frontline
The Eighth China Intangible Culture Heritage Expo opened on Thursday in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province, highlighting the integration of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) into modern life, with technology-driven experiences taking center stage.
Themed "Protection, Inheritance, and Innovation", this year's edition showcases a total of 211 ICH items, with over 100 inheritors present to engage with attendees.
"I have participated in three consecutive China Intangible Culture Heritage Expos with my grandmother and my parents. This year, we are focusing on innovation, while in previous years, we paid more attention to traditional aspects of preservation," said Sun Geyao, an inheritor of sachet embroidering.
"I feel that everyone is showcasing their finest works to visitors and to their peers. This exchange elevates our skills and helps more people understand what we, as inheritors, are passing down and promoting," noted Wang Xuxian, an inheritor of tin carving technique.
The expo also highlights the role of technology in enhancing visitor experiences, featuring interactive immersive activities in the world of ICH.
For instance, visitors can immerse themselves in the cloisonné production process through cutting-edge visual positioning technology, or step into the enchanting world of shadow puppetry via interactive experiences. They can even virtually fly kites, thanks to advanced spatial computing technologies. These innovations breathe new life into cultural treasures, illuminating the brilliance of Chinese heritage.
"Only by integrating with the times can ICH showcases its own value. By merging with daily life, it can shine anew. This expo features interactive projects that make up 70 percent of our exhibits, and we will host over 120 activities that bring intangible heritage into communities, schools, and businesses," said Ma Li, secretary of the Party Leadership Group of the Jinan Municipal Bureau of Culture and Tourism.
Fusion of modernity, technology, heritage illuminates China Intangible Culture Expo
