Lavrov-'No Signs Of Ukraine's Readiness To Move To Political Process'

Speaking at a presser at the end of the OSCE Ministerial Council in North Macedonia, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov claims that "We've not seen any signals from Kyiv or their masters on any rhetroic that points towards peace negotiations". Lavrov's comments come amid claims from Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu that Russian forces have "expanded control zones in all directions" in Ukraine.

• State-run RIA reports Shoigu stating that “For six months of the so-called counter-offensive, the enemy lost over 125 thousand people and 16 thousand units of various weapons. Groups of Russian troops inflict effective and powerful fire damage on the Ukrainian Armed Forces. As a result, their combat capabilities are significantly reduced,”
• Shoigu's claims come amid intense fightingover the eastern city of Avdiivka. British military intelligence has reported that the battle for the ruined city has seen "some of the highest Russian casualty rates of the war so far". Seizing control of Avdiivka, as Russia did with Bakhmut earlier in the year, would be seen as dealing a notable blow to Ukrainian morale as well as making Russia's control of the city of Donetsk close by more assured.
• As noted in the 0950GMT bullet, though, the prospect of major advances by either side during the winter period will be significantly lower than in the summer 'fighting season'.