Russia claims progress, Ukraine repels attacks after 30-day ban on energy attacks

Russia announced on Tuesday that its forces had taken control of more settlements, while Ukraine reported thwarting multiple attacks, after attacks on both sides' energy facilities are temporarily banned.

According to a statement released by the Russian Ministry of Defense on Thursday, Russian forces controlled a settlement in the Donetsk region and a settlement in the Zaporizhzhia region.

The Russian troop continued to attack the Ukrainian army in the directions of Sumy, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia, also attacked Ukrainian targets including military airport infrastructures, drone control stations, and ammunition depots, according to the statement.

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on the same day that a total of 105 battles had occurred along the frontlines. The Russian army launched 43 attacks in the direction of Pokrovsk, of which the Ukrainian army repelled 39, and the rest four battles were still ongoing.

Several settlements in Sumy and Kharkiv were shelled by Russian forces on Tuesday, according to the report.

Russia and the United States have agreed on a category list of energy facilities spared from being targeted during a 30-day energy ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine conflict, according to a Kremlin statement Tuesday.

The list covers oil refineries, oil and gas pipelines and oil and gas storage facilities including pumping stations, power generation and transmission infrastructure such as power stations, substations, transformers and distributors, as well as nuclear facilities and hydropower station dams.

The Kremlin added that the 30-day ceasefire on energy facilities is in effect starting from March 18 and may be extended by mutual agreement or cease to be in effect if violated by one of the parties.

Russia claims progress, Ukraine repels attacks after 30-day ban on energy attacks

Nestled in the Loess Plateau at 2,000 meters above sea level, Linxia Hui Autonomous Prefecture in northwest China's Gansu Province has overcome its harsh natural conditions to cultivate a flourishing rose industry.

Through cutting-edge greenhouse technology, the region has built a thriving rose industry, creating a 200-million-yuan (over 27 million U.S. dollars) "flower economy" that employs over 4,000 locals per year.

At Linxia Baiyi Yinong International Flower Port, the air in the greenhouse thickens with the scent of roses as dozens of workers harvest the blooms.

"Our yields are so high now that we start working early. Each of us can cut 5,000 to 6,000 roses daily," said rose picker Zhang Caihong.

Freshly cut roses undergo pre-cooling at 2 degrees Celsius in a state of vacuum for four to six hours to extend their shelf life. In the packing facility, 100 workers sort stems by bloom size, stem thickness, and color depth. 

The cold-chain logistics can ensure the roses reach anywhere across China in 24 hours by air, or 48 hours by truck.

Unlike traditional soil-based cultivation, roses here grow in a special soil substitute across 200,000 square meters of greenhouses. Sensors hanging above the plants collect real-time data on light, humidity, and temperature, feeding into an automated drip irrigation system.

"The drip system works like an IV, delivering precise amounts of water and nutrients. This makes rose cultivation viable in arid regions while maximizing resource efficiency," said production supervisor Zhang Xiaoliang.

Once reliant on subsistence farming, Linxia now produces 70 million premium cut roses annually, including exclusive varieties bred for year-round blooming. Flower sales have also gone up through live-streaming e-commerce.  

Thriving rose industry drives rural economy in Gansu's Linxia prefecture