Ukrainian Defense forces are currently holding off one of Russia's most powerful offensives since the invasion began in February 2022.

Led by General Oleksandr Syrskyi, Ukrainian forces are striving to counter Russian advancements, particularly in Donbas where Russian troops have recently taken two settlements.

Syrskyi communicated the pressing situation and Ukraine's military needs to U.S. General Charles Brown, who confirmed the continuation of U.S. support.

The United States has recently pledged an additional $425 million in military aid.

Meanwhile, Ukraine has requested a list of Ukrainian POWs from Russia in response to accusations of swapping delays.

Ukrainian Human Rights Commissioner Dmytro Lubinets emphasized Ukraine's readiness for an exchange, challenging Russian claims that Ukraine was unwilling to retrieve its citizens.

Both nations previously exchanged 95 prisoners each in October.

In Kyiv, air defenses responded to a Russian drone attack, which injured a civilian and damaged infrastructure.

Authorities report significant damage, but electricity services have largely been restored.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy highlighted frequent drone threats across Ukraine, noting that Ukrainian air defense forces have intercepted a significant number of attacks.

In a separate development, a Russian court sentenced Robert Shonov, a former U.S. consular employee in Vladivostok, to almost five years in prison for allegedly cooperating with the U.S. government against Russia.

The U.S. has denounced the conviction.

Additionally, Daniel Martindale, a U.S. citizen claiming to have assisted Russian forces, announced his intention to seek Russian citizenship at a press conference in Moscow.

The U.S. embassy has yet to comment on his statements.