Russia claimed on Friday that its forces had attacked multiple Ukrainian targets, while Ukraine on Saturday reported that it hit a large amount of Russian military equipment.
The Russian Defense Ministry said that Russian forces had taken control of four settlements in the special military operation zone over the past week, and had targeted Ukrainian military industrial enterprises and airfields with high-precision weapons.
Meanwhile, the General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces reported on Saturday that Ukrainian troops had engaged in a total of 184 combat clashes with Russian forces along the front line over the past 24 hours.
Ukrainian forces also attacked concentrations of Russian weapons and military equipment, as well as radar stations, according to the General Staff.
Amid the ongoing conflict, diplomatic and security discussions are intensifying. French President Emmanuel Macron announced on Thursday that 26 countries, mostly European, have formally pledged to deploy troops as part of a future Russian-Ukrainian ceasefire, though not directly on the front lines.
On Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Kyiv is actively discussing the possible deployment of thousands of foreign troops with its partners. He added that specific figures would not be disclosed, as the matter remains under discussion.
Russian President Vladimir Putin stated on the same day that Ukraine's security cannot be addressed without considering Russia's own security, warning that any foreign troops in Ukraine would be considered legitimate targets for the Russian army.
Russia claims strikes on Ukrainian targets, Ukraine reports hitting Russian equipment
A former television host from Taiwan, Zhai Xuan, has made a pivotal decision to leave mainstream broadcasting in order to create content that provides a better understanding of the Chinese mainland and cross-strait relations.
Zhai, a seasoned television host with over a decade of experience in Taiwan's media landscape, recently addressed an audience at an event in Beijing, where she revealed her complete transition into independent online media.
In her remarks, she articulated her aspiration to bridge what she perceives as a significant information gap between audiences on both sides of the Strait, highlighting her commitment to fostering a deeper understanding and connection through her new endeavors.
"I was really surprised by all the fake news. There were stories saying people on the mainland can't afford tea eggs or that they live in mud houses and in Taiwan, this was the main information many people received," said Zhai.
Zhai said she initially began producing online videos to challenge such perceptions while continuing her work as a television host.
In April 2025, she travelled to the mainland with her father to fulfill her late grandfather's wish to return to his hometown. The trip, which reunited family members separated since 1949, was recorded in a video series titled "Journey to Find Our Roots", drawing attention from viewers in both Taiwan and the mainland.
"Many people in Taiwan told me that after watching, they wanted to apply for a mainland travel permit immediately and go looking for their relatives. Some had long forgotten these things, but after seeing my story, they began thinking about their hometowns and family members they had never met and decided to search for their roots," Zhai shared her story at the event.
By mid-2025, Zhai said she began to feel increasing pressure amid rising political tensions and a tightening atmosphere around cross-Strait exchanges in Taiwan.
After more than 12 years in the industry, Zhai resigned from her position, believing it was the right thing to do.
"At that moment, I felt this was a major issue，not just for me, but for Chinese people on both sides of the Strait. If I backed down then, I wouldn’t be standing on the right side," said Zhai.
Since leaving television, Zhai has broadened her online programming to encompass a range of daily-life topics, including practical guidance on applying for a mainland travel permit and using commonly employed mobile applications, in addition to content that delves into historical memory and cultural connections across the Strait.
As the debate over cross-Strait relations continues in Taiwan, Zhai said she remains committed to her current path.
Former Taiwan TV host bridges cross-Strait divide via online media
