Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that "the future of his country depends on the outcome of the ongoing battles in the east, including the fighting in Bakhmut and its surroundings," as both sides describe a brutal fight in the small eastern city while Russia intensifies its winter campaign to capture it. The devastated mining city of Bakhmut has become a primary target for the Russian attack and has turned into one of the bloodiest infantry battles in Europe since World War II due to the ongoing fighting for control over it. In his nighttime address on Monday, Zelensky noted that "the situation is very difficult in the east, and we must destroy the enemy's military capability, and we will destroy it."
On another note, a source told Reuters that "the International Criminal Court is expected to seek arrest warrants for Russian officials for the forced deportation of children from Ukraine, as well as for targeting civilian infrastructure, with these being the first international war crimes cases related to the Russian attack." It is certain that Moscow will reject the arrest warrants for its officials, but a trial related to international war crimes could increase Moscow's diplomatic isolation due to its campaign, which has resulted in the deaths of thousands of civilians and displaced millions from their homes.
However, Russia appears to be on the brink of a long-sought diplomatic breakthrough, as sources informed Reuters that Chinese President Xi Jinping may visit Russia next week.
