Ukraine president Volodymyr Zelensky is turning to allies for greater diplomatic and military support as Russia intensifies its strikes on the nation.
The four-year conflict between the two neighbours, which has killed thousands and displaced millions, shows little sign of ending.
At the same time, the United States faces a separate war with Iran under President Donald Trump, who has previously pledged to bring the war in Ukraine to an end.
On Saturday, Ukrainian officials said Russian drone and missile strikes on Kyiv had killed seven people.
The attack came a day after a Russian strike on a shopping centre killed at least 16 people and wounded more than 130, according to Agence France-Presse.
In retaliation, Ukraine launched a drone attack on southern Russia, hitting a house and killing three people.
Aid pours into Ukraine
As Russia steps up its attacks, several nations have increased their support for Ukraine, particularly in strengthening the country’s air defences.
France was among the countries to pledge further military support, with President Emmanuel Macron ordering the accelerated delivery of the latest French equipment and missiles to Ukraine.
In a phone call, Macron and Zelensky also discussed ways to finance Ukraine’s defence in 2026 and 2027, identifying bilateral defence agreements that need to be accelerated.
Separately, Zelensky met German foreign minister Johann Wadephul, who pledged continued support for Ukraine ahead of winter.
Wadephul said Berlin will provide additional generators to Ukraine to help maintain power and will support key agricultural transport routes amid increased Russian attacks, according to the Ukrainian government’s website.
READ MORE: Kim Jong Un’s sister shuns adjustments on US-South Korean ‘war games’
Putin criticises Western support
Meanwhile, the growing co-operation between Ukraine and its Western allies has drawn criticism from Russian president Vladimir Putin, who described their efforts as futile.
In an interview with Vesti, Putin said Ukraine and its Western backers had failed to gain an advantage against Russia and insisted they would not succeed in doing so.
He accused Kyiv and the West of wanting to weaken Russia and eventually push the country into collapse.
Putin also acknowledged that Ukrainian attacks had hurt Russia’s economy and caused casualties but said they had made no difference on the battlefield.
Addressing the latest Ukrainian attacks on Russia, the Kremlin leader said Kyiv had opened a ‘Pandora’s box’ when it targeted civilian and logistics facilities.
He added that Moscow retaliated by increasing attacks on Ukrainian defence-industry enterprises, Anadolu Agency reported.
YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Germany approves intel reforms to fight cyberattacks, terrorism
Russia claims Donetsk gains
Russian military expert Andrey Marochko stated that Russia is expanding its control around Novohrodivka in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region.
Donetsk is one of the main battlegrounds of the war and remains internationally recognised as part of Ukraine, although Russia controls significant parts of the region and claims it as its territory.
Marochko said Novohrodivka remains in a “grey zone”, where neither side has full control, but claimed that most Ukrainian units have already withdrawn from the settlement, TASS detailed.
He likewise revealed that Russian drones are operating north, east and west of Novohrodivka, helping Moscow’s forces gradually expand their zone of control.
The claims have not been independently verified.
READ NEXT: Current Ebola outbreak in DR Congo on track to become ‘deadliest’ in history
James Mario Ajero 
Wendellyn Mateo