The Russian offensive in Ukraine is set to enter its 12th week, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday night that “no one can predict how long the war will last.” “Unfortunately, not only on our people, who are already giving their all,” Zelensky said in his nightly video address to the nation. This will be contingent on our allies, European nations, and the entire free world.

Russia has defended its actions since the invasion of Ukraine began on February 24. Vladimir Putin, the country’s president, has stated that the special military operation was necessary because the US was using Ukraine to threaten Moscow, and the Kremlin needed to defend Russian-speaking people. Russia is also under fire in Ukraine for alleged human rights violations. The UN Human Rights Council (UNHRC) has already opened an investigation into these violations.

On Friday, Zelensky announced that the country’s military had retaken towns and villages from Russian forces, and that work to restore electricity, running water, telephone communications, and social services is underway.

According to a video shared by the former, Ukrainian forces destroyed parts of a Russian armoured column as it attempted to cross a river in the Donbas region. Ukraine now controls territory stretching to the Siverskyi Donets River, about 40 kilometres to the east, according to news agency Reuters.

On Friday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu spoke with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin for the first time since the conflict in Ukraine began. According to the Associated Press, officials said the call did not appear to signal any changes in Russia’s offensive. The European Union (EU) has promised Ukraine another half-billion dollars in military aid. Ukraine’s partners, according to Volodymyr Zelensky, have “strengthened sanctions against Russia and increased military and financial assistance to us.”

Dmytro Kuleba, Ukraine’s foreign minister, said he has asked the G-7 to adopt legislation and put in place all necessary procedures to seize Russian sovereign assets and hand them over to Ukraine.