KYIV - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday said the situation in Russian-held parts of Ukraine was "extremely difficult" while his Ukrainian counterpart drove home the message by visiting a frontline town that Moscow has long tried to capture.
Addressing Russia's security services, Mr Putin told operatives they needed to significantly improve their work in a speech that was one of his clearest public admissions yet that the invasion he launched almost 10 months ago is not going to plan.
It followed a visit to close ally Belarus that fuelled fears, dismissed by the Kremlin, that the country could help Russia open a new invasion front against Ukraine.
Some of the fiercest fighting in recent weeks in Ukraine has taken place around the eastern city of Bakhmut. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky's office said on Tuesday he had visited the city to meet military representatives and hand out awards to soldiers.
"Bakhmut Fortress. Our people. Unconquered by the enemy. Who with their bravery prove that we will endure and will not give up what's ours," Mr Zelensky said in comments posted on the Telegram messaging app under photographs of him in Bakhmut.
Denne historien er fra December 21, 2022-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent ? Logg på
Denne historien er fra December 21, 2022-utgaven av The Straits Times.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
Blackpink's Jennie to release debut studio album
Jennie, a member of K-pop girl group Blackpink, will release her first solo studio album in 2025.
Lord Of The Rings musical to make Asian premiere in Singapore
Middle-earth is making its way to Singapore.
Brave Lions Suffer Late Heartbreaks
Vietnam net twice in added time to take a 2-0 lead in Asean C'ship semi-final
Saka's absence a good challenge for us: Arteta
A buoyant Mikel Arteta had said that the English Premier League title race was \"on\", after Arsenal swept Crystal Palace aside 5-1 in their last league game before Christmas.
WOEFUL CITY VOW TO KEEP GOING
Guardiola’s men fail to beat Everton, with misfiring Haaland central to their struggles
With two tour wins, Matsuyama is Asia's shining golf star
As another year draws to a close, one thing remains certain – the sun always rises in the Far East with Japan truly basking in the glory of its most famous golfing son, Hideki Matsuyama.
Rybakina gaining insight from Ivanisevic
Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina expressed confidence on Dec 26 that her new partnership with Novak Djokovic's former coach Goran Ivanisevic will pay dividends, starting at the mixed-team United Cup.
Djokovic Still Motivated To Win
Bid for historic 25th Major title keeps 37-year-old's fire burning as he begins season in Brisbane
Kohli under fire after clash with teen Konstas
Virat Kohli's conduct came under the microscope in the Boxing Day Test, after a clash of shoulders with teen debutant Sam Konstas but the incident did little to knock the Australian wonder boy off his stride.
LawConnect lead, Comanche out with broken main sail
Favourite Master Lock Comanche were forced to retire from the 79th running of the Sydney to Hobart yacht race which began on Dec 26, leaving LawConnect as the new race leader in the South Pacific.
