Russian forces have launched a new barrage of Iranian drones, the spokesperson of the Ukrainian Air Force claimed (Tuesday) according to a report by the Ukrinform news agency. According to him, the launch point moved to the eastern side of the Sea of ​​Azov, located on the southeastern coast of Ukraine.

Yuriy Ihanat, spokesman for the Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, noted that drones have already been shot down in the southern regions of Kherson, Mykolaiv and Odessa. As you may recall, Russia has been accused of using Iranian-made drones to attack multiple targets in Ukraine, especially energy infrastructure, for months. Although it has not officially admitted using them, Iran has admitted supplying Russia with such drones but said it did so before the war began.

At the same time, the president of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky Call on Russian forces to withdraw from Ukraine this Christmas. In an address to G7 leaders, Zelensky said Russia can prove it can use the season of goodwill to abandon its aggression toward Ukraine.

“The occupier must leave. It will definitely happen. I see no reason why Russia should not do it now – at Christmas. The answer from Moscow will show what they really want – another confrontation with the world or finally a cessation of aggression. Whoever brought the war on us should take it away “, Zelensky said.

Also, officials in Russia and Ukraine said during the night that in the Donetsk region, in eastern Ukraine, heavy fighting was going on, and they claimed that they managed to repel the mutual attacks. At the same time, in the announcement of the Supreme Military Command of Ukraine, it was stated that “the forces repelled Russia in four locations in this area”.

Denis Pushilin, a senior Russian official stationed in the territories annexed to Russia, stated in an interview with the Russian news agency RIA that the progress in this area was difficult, and that about half of the territory of Donetsk is now under Russian control. However, the Reuters news agency was unable to verify these details, since in recent weeks there have been heavy battles in the area – so it is not clear which parts are under Russian control – and which parts are in the hands of the Ukrainians