Russia claims strikes on Ukrainian air defense system, Ukraine alleges controlling situation on frontline

Russia said on Thursday that its forces had launched attacks on the Ukrainian air defense system while the Ukrainian side claimed its forces had taken control of the situation on the frontline over the past 24 hours.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in its daily report on Thursday that Russian forces had hit three U.S. Patriot air defense missile systems belonging to the Ukrainian army and one Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) control center.

The Russian forces repelled Ukrainian attacks in multiple directions, launched offensives, and destroyed many pieces of Ukrainian equipment including tanks, armored vehicles, and self-propelled artillery.

The Russian air defense system also shot down 61 Ukrainian drones, missiles, and U.S.-made HIMARS missiles, the ministry said.

On the same day, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Ukrainian forces had 76 combat engagements on the frontline over the past 24 hours, with the most intense ones in Pokrovsk and Toretsk sectors in eastern Ukraine.

In the direction of Pokrovsk, Ukrainian forces repelled 36 Russian attacks, and fighting is still going on in some areas. In addition, in the Kharkiv region in northeastern Ukraine, the Russian army launched two attacks on Vovchansk, a town in eastern Ukraine near the Russian border. The Ukrainian forces took control of the overall situation.

Russia claims strikes on Ukrainian air defense system, Ukraine alleges controlling situation on frontline

Vice President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Gilles Carbonnier on Saturday said he was encouraged by the humanitarian organization's deepening relationship with China.

In an interview with China Global Television Network (CGTN) during the 11th Xiangshan Forum, Carbonnier said the ICRC has not only been engaged in dialogue with China and other states, but has also welcomed the country's involvement in the launch of programs to help people affected by conflicts.

"China is definitely a major player. We really are very encouraged to see that our relationship with the PLA, with the People's Liberation Army, with the Ministry of Defense deepening on several issues of common interest, especially on International Humanitarian Law and humanitarian priorities. We at the ICRC really look forward to developing this dialogue, of course, here in Beijing, but also as we're doing in Geneva, in New York, as well as in the field, for example, where Chinese peacekeepers are also active," he said.

The three-day Xiangshan Forum opened on Thursday in Beijing, attracting more than 500 representatives of official delegations from more than 100 countries and international organizations, and over 200 experts and scholars to discuss global security.

At the forum, Carbonnier delivered a speech on the topic of the international mechanism and global security governance.

In'tl Red Cross Committee vice president hails deepening ties with China