Russia reported advances on all Ukrainian fronts on Monday as Ukraine attempted to attack Russia's Novovoronezh nuclear power plant.
Russian army took control of one settlement each in Donetsk and Zaporizhia and carried out strikes on energy and transportation facilities, fuel depots, and temporary deployment points of Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries in 148 regions on Monday. They also intercepted 416 fixed-wing drones, Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.
Russia's supreme commander-in-chief Valery Gerasimov said on Tuesday that Russian troops were advancing in all directions, while Ukrainian army tried to stabilize the situation on the front line and delay the Russian offensive.
A Ukrainian combat drone attempted to attack the Novovoronezh nuclear power plant overnight but was destroyed before causing any damage, Russian authorities said on Tuesday.
Plant operator Rosenergoatom said the drone was downed by technical defenses near the facility in the Voronezh region and detonated after hitting the cooling tower of Unit 6, which remains in operation.
"There was no structural damage or casualties," the state nuclear energy company said in a statement, adding that the plant's safety systems were not affected, and radiation levels at and around the site remain normal.
Ukrainian Defense Forces engaged in 193 combat clashes with Russian forces on Monday, General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said on Tuesday.
Ukrainian forces repelled Russian attacks from multiple directions and launched offensives against Russia in the directions of Kupyanska, Toretsk, and Novopavlivka.
Ukrainian troops attacked Russian personnel, their weapons and military equipment concentrations, drone control points and command posts, destroying 338 Russian tactical drones, said the General Staff.
Russia reports all-round advances as Ukraine attempts to attack Russian nuclear power plant
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
