Russia reported on Saturday that its forces have taken control of the settlement of Shevchenko in eastern Ukraine's Kharkov region, while Ukraine on the same day claimed strikes against multiple Russian targets.
The Russian Ministry of Defense said in its daily report that its troops gained control of Ukraine's settlement of Shevchenko and struck 153 areas across Ukraine, targeting facilities for the production, storage, and sites for launching long-range drones, fuel, transport and port infrastructure used by Ukrainian forces, and temporary deployment points of the Ukrainian armed forces and foreign mercenaries.
Also according to the ministry, Russia's air defense systems shot down or destroyed 13 guided aerial bombs, four HIMARS rockets, and 911 fixed-wing drones.
Russian air defense forces downed 339 Ukrainian fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) over a 13-hour period, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement on Saturday.
The drones were shot down over more than a dozen regions including the Moscow region, as well as over the waters of the Black Sea, it added.
On the same day, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine said that Ukrainian forces had struck targets including Russian troop concentration areas, drone control points, and artillery systems.
Also on Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that Ukrainian drones had reached Russia's St. Petersburg, striking a Russian naval arsenal and the military base in Kronstadt. In addition, Ukrainian drones hit an oil storage facility in southern Russia's Krasnodar region.
He said that Ukrainian forces had carried out drone strikes on multiple locations inside Russia, targeting arsenals, military bases, and oil storage facilities.
Russia claims taking control of Ukrainian settlement, Ukraine reports striking multiple Russian targets
A large number of international guests have been drawn to Ninghai County in east China's Zhejiang Province, immersing themselves in the culture of its villages and enjoying warm welcomes from local people eager to share their traditional practices.
Recently, a traditional long-table banquet was held in the county's Qiantong Ancient Town, an exceptionally well-preserved town built during the Song Dynasty (960–1279).
Given the rising popularity of rural tourism in China, it was no surprise that the 300 tickets for the event sold out within a few minutes. However, local organizers had not expected the event to bring so many guests from overseas to the 200-meter-long table.
"I especially like the tall (long) table, it's actually a new experience for me," said an international visitor.
"The atmosphere here is lively and I really like it. The dishes arrived still hot, crispy and delicious," said another overseas guest.
Inspired by the stories of Xu Xiake, an explorer and travel writer from the Ming Dynasty (1368-1644), more than 100 overseas students also visited old villages in the county, where they learned traditional crafting techniques like paper cutting.
"I can experience traditional culture and I also like that in this village. There are some old traditional things," said an overseas student.
"This place is so beautiful, with many delicious foods," another student said.
The students also learned to make a kind of traditional dessert that symbolizes good wishes for longevity.
"It's my first time to see it. It's very interesting. I want to learn new things," said one of the students.
"I feel really amazed there, really happy. I was really enjoying this experience to do it," said another.
Local people were more than willing to share these ancient practices with young people from around the world.
"Through hands-on experience, our foreign friends can more easily understand our traditional culture. Our communication like this is more sincere and unforgettable," said Liang Lanlan, an intangible cultural heritage inheritor.
Traditional culture in east China county draws international guests
