Russia on Saturday claimed to have launched attacks on multiple Ukrainian targets, including a military airport, while Ukraine said it repelled multiple Russian offensives in the past day.
According to a daily report released by Russia's Ministry of Defense, Russian troops took control of two settlements in Donetsk and inflicted damage on Ukraine's energy facilities, a military airfield and production workshops for unmanned aerial vehicles.
The Russian military's air defense system intercepted Ukraine's HIMARS rockets, drones and other targets on that day, the ministry said.
On the same day, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported that as of Saturday afternoon, Ukrainian forces had engaged in dozens of battles with Russian troops on multiple fronts.
The front-line situation remained severe, with the fiercest battles occurring in the directions of Kurakhove and Pokrovsk, said the General Staff report, adding Ukrainian forces repelled multiple Russian offensives.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Saturday in an interview that Ukraine must do everything to ensure that this war with Russia ends next year through "diplomatic means".
Negotiations between Ukraine and Russia are possible under the conditions that Ukraine is not alone standing against the Russian Federation and Ukraine is strong, he said.
Zelensky also said the Untied States, as a mediator, should maintain the position of supporting Ukraine.
One day before, Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a phone call with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz that Russia has never rejected and is still willing to resume negotiations interrupted by the Ukrainian government, but stressed that any deals should consider Russian security interests.
Russia attacks Ukrainian military airfield, Ukraine repels multiple Russian offensives
