Xi Jinping Presents Orders, Congratulates Officers Promoted to General at CMC Ceremony
A ceremony to promote military officers to the rank of general was held at the August 1st Building in Beijing on the 23rd. Xi Jinping, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, attended the promotion ceremony. At around 10:00 AM, the promotion ceremony began with the solemn national anthem of the People's Republic of China. Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, read out the order signed by Xi Jinping, Chairman of the Central Military Commission, to promote officers to the rank of general. He Weidong, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission, presided over the promotion ceremony. Xi Jinping presented the order to Chen Hui, Political Commissar of the Army, who was promoted to the rank of general, and extended his congratulations. Chen Hui, wearing the rank of general, saluted Xi Jinping and all comrades attending the ceremony, which was met with warm applause. The promotion ceremony concluded with the resounding military anthem of the Chinese People's Liberation Army. Liu Zhenli and Zhang Shengmin, members of the Central Military Commission, and principal leaders from various departments of the Central Military Commission and relevant military units stationed in Beijing attended the promotion ceremony.
New Productive Forces Steadily Developing to Create New Economic Highlights
General Secretary Xi Jinping pointed out that developing new quality productive forces is an inherent requirement and an important focus for promoting high-quality development. This year, China's high-quality economic development has achieved remarkable results, with new quality productive forces developing steadily. A series of scientific and technological achievements continue to emerge, with traditional, emerging, and future industries pursuing "intelligence" and "green" in parallel. Moving towards "new" and achieving "quality" for long-term success, new quality productive forces are becoming a strong driving force and support for high-quality development. This is today's China with flourishing new quality productive forces. Among the 172 "lighthouse factories" globally, China accounts for 74, with nearly half of them coming from traditional industries such as steel smelting, apparel, and food, demonstrating the significant transformation and upgrading of China's traditional industries. This year, China's first commercial aerospace launch site completed its inaugural launch mission, the National Bio-manufacturing Industry Innovation Center was officially unveiled, and the nation's first low-altitude economy micro-service station was put into use, indicating the continuous expansion of strategic emerging industries. This year, China's humanoid robot market reached nearly 3 billion yuan, a new superconducting quantum computer was just released, and a quantum communication innovation consortium was officially established, accelerating the growth of future industries. This year, new quality productive forces, driving high-quality economic development, are accelerating their formation across all sectors. In September 2023, General Secretary Xi Jinping first proposed the concept of "new quality productive forces" during his inspection in Heilongjiang. At the beginning of the new year, when presiding over the 11th group study session of the Political Bureau of the CPC Central Committee, General Secretary Xi Jinping comprehensively and systematically expounded on the basic connotations, core elements, and implementation paths of new quality productive forces. He emphasized the need to promote industrial innovation through scientific and technological innovation; to further deepen comprehensive reforms to form new production relations that are compatible with new quality productive forces; and to accelerate the green transformation of development methods, among other specific requirements. "Developing new quality productive forces does not mean neglecting or abandoning traditional industries." While various regions are accelerating the deployment of new quality productive forces, General Secretary Xi Jinping has repeatedly stressed that "the transformation and upgrading of traditional industries can also develop new quality productive forces," "it is necessary to prevent a rush to adopt and speculative bubbles, and not to adopt a single model," and "all regions should adhere to reality, establish first and then break, adapt to local conditions, and provide categorized guidance." Innovation is the core element of developing new quality productive forces. This year, support for "innovation" has continuously increased across various aspects. From improving the new whole-nation system to strengthening the principal position of enterprises in scientific and technological innovation, and from promoting the transformation and application of scientific and technological achievements to strengthening talent incentive mechanisms, the overall effectiveness of the national innovation system has steadily improved. The latest data shows that as of the end of November this year, the number of valid invention patents in China reached 5.646 million, of which over 73% were held by enterprises. China has cumulatively cultivated over 140,000 "specialized, refined, distinctive, and innovative" small and medium-sized enterprises and 14,600 "little giant" enterprises. Innovation has led to industrial upgrading. In the newly released batch of national advanced manufacturing clusters, clusters from third and fourth-tier cities in the western region appeared for the first time. Most of them are resource-based cities, transitioning from basic resource extraction to the high-end of industrial and value chains such as energy storage and new materials. New quality productive forces themselves are green productive forces. This year, the proportion of renewable energy installed capacity nationwide steadily increased, the annual production of new energy vehicles exceeded 10 million units for the first time, and over 1,300 national-level green factories were newly cultivated, indicating improved quality and efficiency in green development and continuous innovation in development methods. In the waters of Wenling City, Zhejiang Province, East China Sea, plastic bags, discarded fishing nets, and other waste materials salvaged by fishermen during winter fishing can now be packaged and sold to nearby high-tech enterprises for reprocessing into recycled plastic pellets, used in the production of mobile phone cases, clothing, and other products. The Third Plenary Session of the 20th Central Committee of the Communist Party of China once again made important arrangements for improving the institutional mechanisms for developing new quality productive forces adapted to local conditions. It proposed accelerating the formation of production relations more compatible with new quality productive forces, promoting the agglomeration of various advanced production factors towards the development of new quality productive forces, and significantly improving total factor productivity. Today, in various industries, "new type of labor force" has become a buzzword. These are 19 newly added professions this year, and reporters found that nearly half of them are digital professions, especially composite talents like "digital + manufacturing" and "digital + green." At the same time, new production tools are being rapidly adopted, with over 500,000 industrial robots newly added across various regions this year, and a "comprehensive health check" of national data resources conducted for the first time. Under the continuous optimization of various production factor allocations, since the beginning of this year, the labor productivity of industries such as chemical raw materials, transportation equipment, and electronic information has increased by over 10%, while that of traditional industries such as food, textiles, and papermaking has also reached 8%. Industries are vibrant due to "newness," and the economy is advancing towards "newness." The recently held Central Economic Work Conference proposed accelerating the development of new quality productive forces led by scientific and technological innovation and building a modern industrial system. Various regions will continue to focus on their respective advantageous industries, promote continuous optimization of economic structure, continuous improvement of total factor productivity, and accelerated growth of new drivers and new advantages, thus building a solid material and technological foundation for Chinese modernization.
People's Daily Commentator Article: Continuously Create a New Chapter of High-Quality Development for "One Country, Two Systems" - On Studying and Implementing President Xi Jinping's Important Speech at the Ceremony Marking the 25th Anniversary of Macao's Return to the Motherland
Today (December 23), "People's Daily" published a commentator article titled "Continuously Creating a New Situation for the High-Quality Development of 'One Country, Two Systems' - On Studying and Implementing President Xi Jinping's Important Speech at the Ceremony Celebrating the 25th Anniversary of Macao's Return to the Motherland."
Premier Li Qiang Oversees Constitutional Oath Ceremony of the State Council
On December 23, the State Council held a constitutional oath-taking ceremony. Premier Li Qiang supervised the oath. In accordance with the Constitution of the People's Republic of China and the organizational measures for constitutional oaths by state functionaries appointed by the State Council and its various departments, 45 officials from 35 departments and units appointed by the State Council took their constitutional oaths according to law. At 9:00 AM, State Councilor and Secretary-General of the State Council Wu Zhenglong announced the start of the constitutional oath-taking ceremony. All stood and sang the national anthem of the People's Republic of China. Subsequently, the lead oath-taker placed a hand on the Constitution and recited the oath, while other oath-takers stood in formation and repeated the oath. After the oath, Premier Li Qiang delivered a speech. He emphasized the importance of remembering the solemn vows and striving to fulfill them through unremitting efforts. He stressed the need to arm one's mind, guide practice, and promote work with Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, deeply understand the decisive significance of the "Two Establishes," and uphold the "Two Safeguards." He also highlighted the need to always uphold the authority of the Constitution, administer according to law, and continuously improve the ability to solve problems using legal thinking and methods. Furthermore, he urged all to always maintain integrity and self-discipline, consciously accept supervision, and serve as role models in fighting corruption and promoting integrity. Li Qiang pointed out that China's economic and social development will still face many difficulties and challenges next year. First, they must prioritize practical work and strive for achievements. They must put "doing" first, refine, concretize, and implement the decisions and deployments of the Party Central Committee, and expedite confirmed tasks as early as possible. They should proactively understand the demands of the public and enterprises and actively resolve urgent and difficult issues. Second, they must tackle reform challenges and dare to innovate. They should not shrink from difficulties or avoid conflicts, but rather dare to break conventional thinking and actively plan effective work initiatives. Third, they must take a step forward and strengthen synergy. All departments and localities must consciously think and act in the broader interest, forming a concerted effort. Leaders of the State Council and responsible comrades from relevant departments of the State Council attended the ceremony.
14th NPC Standing Committee Holds 36th Chairpersons' Meeting
The 36th Chairpersons' Meeting of the 14th National People's Congress Standing Committee was held on the afternoon of the 23rd at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing. Chairman Zhao Leji presided over the meeting. The meeting heard a report by Xin Chunying, Chairperson of the NPC Constitution and Law Committee, on the deliberation opinions on the draft amendment to the Deputy Law, a report on the revision opinions on the draft Value-Added Tax Law, a report on the revision opinions on the draft decision on amending the Supervision Law, and a report on the revision opinions on the draft revision to the Law on Popularization of Science and Technology. It also deliberated on relevant draft proposals and revised drafts. The meeting heard a report by Lou Qinjian, Chairperson of the NPC Foreign Affairs Committee, on the deliberation of the "Extradition Treaty between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Zimbabwe" and the "Extradition Treaty between the People's Republic of China and the Republic of Suriname," and deliberated on the draft decision on approving the treaties. The meeting heard a report by Liu Qi, Secretary-General of the NPC Standing Committee, on the deliberation of the draft decision on convening the Third Session of the 14th National People's Congress, a report on the qualifications of individual deputies, and a report on the deliberation of appointments and removals, and deliberated on relevant draft decisions. The Chairpersons' Meeting decided to submit the aforementioned draft proposals, revised drafts, etc., to the Standing Committee meeting for deliberation.
Central Military Commission Commends Advanced Units in Army Regularization Construction
Recently, the Central Military Commission issued the "Circular on Commending Advanced Units in the Regularization of the Entire Military," commending 10 advanced units in the regularization of the entire military. The circular pointed out that in recent years, all military units have adhered to the guidance of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, thoroughly implemented Xi Jinping's Thought on Strengthening the Military, deeply carried out the military strategy for the new era, actively adapted to the new situations and requirements of combat readiness, fully grasped the strategy of governing the military according to law, strictly strengthened military management according to law, accelerated the fundamental transformation of military governance methods, made military conduct and discipline more rigorous, and made military order more regular, and a number of advanced examples of regularization have emerged. The circular called on all military units to emulate these advanced units, fully implement the spirit of the 20th National Congress of the Communist Party of China and the Second and Third Plenary Sessions of the 20th Central Committee, conscientiously implement the Central Military Commission's "Opinions on Comprehensively and Strictly Strengthening Military Management," adhere to focusing the legal governance of the military on serving combat readiness, comprehensively strengthen military governance, continuously innovate management models, and promote the regularization of the military to a higher level.
China's Economic Vitality Continues to Improve as Freight Indicators Hit New Highs in November
The latest data shows that in November, China's transportation scale significantly expanded, with multiple freight indicators reaching historical highs, reflecting the sustained improvement in economic development vitality. The reporter learned today (December 23) from China Railway Group that in November, national railways completed a freight volume of 350 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 5.5%; the average daily loading exceeded 194,000 cars, a new historical high. The volume of key materials transported increased across the board. In November, coal shipments reached 184 million tons, a year-on-year increase of 3.3%; the Daqin Railway, a major "west-to-east coal transportation" corridor, transported 36.578 million tons of coal, an increase of 11.7% compared to October. In terms of civil aviation, in November, the national civil aviation completed a cargo and mail volume of 837,000 tons, a year-on-year increase of 16.6%; the single-month cargo and mail volume reached the 800,000-ton level for three consecutive months. Benefiting from the continuous improvement of airline networks and the rapid development of new business formats such as cross-border e-commerce, air transport demand has remained strong since the beginning of this year, driving continuous growth in air cargo volume. Comprehensive data from the Ministry of Transport shows that in November, China's commercial freight volume reached 5.09 billion tons, a year-on-year increase of 4.2%, of which road and waterway freight volumes maintained growth. Port cargo throughput reached 1.53 billion tons, showing a stable and balanced growth trend in both domestic and foreign trade.
China Accelerates New Energy Base Construction
Currently, various regions are accelerating the construction of clean energy bases, while continuously improving the power grid's capacity to accept, allocate, and regulate clean energy, steadily advancing energy transition. These days, good news about a series of new energy projects is coming from all over the country. In Cangzhou, Hebei along the Bohai Sea coast, the nation's largest "fishery-solar complementary" project recently successfully connected to the grid and started power generation. Under 2.31 million photovoltaic panels, various marine organisms can be cultivated, achieving a win-win situation for both energy and fishery. In Qinghai, the Marnag Hydropower Station, the largest hydropower station under construction in the upper reaches of the Yellow River, is undergoing final debugging and installation and is expected to achieve full capacity production by the end of the year. This is not just a single hydropower station; it can also achieve multi-energy complementarity of "water, wind, solar, and storage," with a total configured renewable energy capacity of 31.12 million kilowatts. Since the beginning of this year, China has accelerated the development of large-scale new energy bases in the "desert, Gobi, and barren land" areas in the west and distributed new energy development in the central and eastern regions. The latest data shows that in the first 11 months of this year, the national new energy installed capacity reached 258 million kilowatts, accounting for 81.5% of the national newly added power generation capacity. While the construction of clean energy bases is accelerating, China's new power system is also continuously improving. A batch of new energy storage projects such as concentrated solar power storage and compressed air energy storage are accelerating their implementation. As of now, China has cumulatively built new energy storage exceeding 60 million kilowatts. These "super power banks" provide strong support for the stable operation of the power system.
Strengthen Winter Field Management to Solidify Grain Production Foundation
The current period is crucial for agricultural "winter management," with various regions implementing field management measures tailored to local conditions to ensure crops safely overwinter and solidify the foundation for grain and oil production. Strengthening field management ensures the safe overwintering of wheat. In Yingdong County, a major wheat-producing area in Anhui, to prevent wheat from overgrowing, leading to lodging and poor frost resistance, the local authorities organized over 300 agricultural technicians to visit fields, guiding farmers to manage crops by category, helping control excessive growth and promote robust development for successful overwintering. In the Yumankou Irrigation Area of Shanxi, local authorities preemptively investigated the winter irrigation area and water demand for winter wheat, strengthening 24-hour on-duty and patrol inspections to ensure stable and efficient winter irrigation. Seizing the "golden period" of winter construction, high-standard farmland construction is being accelerated. Hebei has effectively addressed issues such as fragmented farmland and declining quality through measures like field remediation and agricultural water conservancy transformation, improving agricultural production conditions. Hua County in Henan has constructed and upgraded 100,000 mu of high-standard farmland by implementing various projects, including soil improvement and irrigation and drainage system renovation. Ningbo, Zhejiang, is focusing on hardening field roads, accelerating the repair of farm machine roads, and building new irrigation canals, promoting high-standard farmland construction to lay a solid foundation for a bumper harvest next year. Currently, it is a critical period for the "winter management" of rapeseed crops. Jiangxi's rapeseed planting area this year is over 9 million mu, of which more than one-third is in mountainous areas. In Yichun, local authorities are organizing drones to spray biological regulators on overwintering rapeseed to enhance its cold resistance. In Tongren, Guizhou, agricultural technicians are guiding farmers in tasks such as clearing ditches and draining water, applying seedling fertilizer, and preventing and controlling pests and diseases to ensure the safe overwintering of rapeseed.
National Model Judge Han Xuhui: Serving the People with Heart and Soul
Han Xuhui, who passed away, was a judge at the Luzhou District People's Court in Changzhi City, Shanxi Province. For 33 years, he dedicated himself to providing judicial services to the public, upholding and developing the "Fengqiao Experience" in the new era. He resolved thousands of public concerns, with no reported complaints. On March 9, 2023, while on a business trip for a case, he suffered a sudden heart attack due to overwork and unfortunately passed away after resuscitation attempts failed, at the age of 59. This is the last footage of Han Xuhui alive. Han Xuhui and his colleagues traveled over 700 kilometers in 4 days, going to 4 prisons to hear 5 cases, with each day's schedule packed. The wage arrears case of old Mr. Kang Cheng'en was the last case Han Xuhui handled before his death. More than ten years ago, he and his wife worked in a factory, but due to the boss's imprisonment for a crime, the enterprise subsequently went bankrupt, leaving the 7,000 yuan in unpaid wages in limbo. Before his death, Han Xuhui traveled to the prison where the defendant was located to preside over the hearing for this very case. Han Xuhui made multiple trips between the prison and relevant departments to recover the outstanding payment for the elderly couple. After Han Xuhui's death, other judges took over the "baton" and finally recovered the long-overdue wages for the elderly couple. Han Xuhui said it and did it. As a judge in a grassroots court, he often communicated and interacted more with the parties involved before ruling on cases, listening more to their demands. Over the years, whenever Han Xuhui found a case suitable for circuit trials, he would move the courtroom to the fields of the common people, striving to achieve the legal popularization goal of "hearing one case, governing an area." The working method that Han Xuhui practiced during his lifetime has been summarized as the "Five-First Work Method" - first sit in the audience before sitting on the bench, first knock on farmers' doors before striking the gavel, first resolve family disputes before explaining law and reason, first understand people's conscience before listening to their hearts, and first get on the path of justice before accelerating efficiency.
Ice and Snow Tourism Enters Peak Season, Winter Tourism Market Remains Hot
Currently, ice and snow tourism is entering its peak season, with the introduction of new products and scenarios contributing to the sustained popularity of the winter tourism market. In Changchun Ice and Snow World, Jilin, magnificent lights and brilliant fireworks illuminate the night sky. This year, the park's area has expanded to 1.56 million square meters, with 200 ice and snow sculptures. The local area has also added comprehensive service scenarios such as ice and snow performances, ice and snow photography, and ice and snow cuisine, enriching people's experiences and attracting over 10,000 tourists daily. Enjoying ice and snow and savoring culture also inject vitality into ice and snow tourism. In Wuwei, Gansu, people can not only gallop on the snowfields but also experience the rich ethnic customs brought by snowfield Guozhuang. In Baotou, Inner Mongolia, in addition to enjoying the natural scenery of the Yellow River in winter, tourists can also experience intangible cultural heritage projects such as paper-cutting and炕围画 (kangwei painting, a traditional wall painting around heated brick beds). In Manasi, Xinjiang, unique snowfield horse racing and goat pulling competitions have attracted many tourists. High-mountain ski resorts in many southern regions have also opened successively. The ski resort at Xiling Snow Mountain Scenic Area in Chengdu, Sichuan, recently opened, with over ten activities such as snow drifting and snow tubing, allowing tourists to fully enjoy the fun of ice and snow. This ski season, the supporting facilities at Lushui River Ski Resort in Enshi, Hubei, have been fully upgraded, with a new batch of campsites and homestays built, attracting tourists from various places to experience and check in.
Domestic News Briefs
1. China's SMEs' Effective Invention Patent Commercialization Rate Reaches 55.1% in 2024.
Reporters learned today (December 23) from a regular press conference held by the National Intellectual Property Administration that in 2024, the commercialization rate of effective invention patents for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in China reached 55.1%, an increase of 3.6 percentage points over the previous year. Among them, the commercialization rates for effective invention patents of small and micro enterprises were 57.8% and 36.7% respectively, showing continuous improvement for two consecutive years.
2. Supreme People's Court Severely Punishes Malicious Wage Arrears to Protect Migrant Workers' Rights.
Reporters learned today (December 23) from the Supreme People's Court that from January to mid-December this year, national courts concluded 69,000 cases involving migrant workers, with 1.72 billion yuan in executed amounts recovered. The Supreme People's Court launched a special winter action to address wage arrears nationwide from November this year until before the Spring Festival in 2025, to severely punish malicious wage arrears in accordance with the law.
3. Eastern Route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project Enters Ice-Flow Period.
Reporters learned from China South-to-North Water Diversion Group that the first phase of the Eastern Route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project has entered the ice-flow period for 2024-2025, which is expected to end by late February 2025. Currently, the South-to-North Water Diversion Group has prepared ice-flow water conveyance facilities and emergency supplies.
4. Significant Enhancement of the Yangtze River Delta Integration Demonstration and Leading Role.
The National Bureau of Statistics announced today (December 23) that in 2023, the Yangtze River Delta regional development index was 132.6, an increase of 3.3 compared to 2022. Among them, the Yangtze River Delta region's R&D expenditure surpassed one trillion yuan, and the water quality of 594 national surface water monitoring sections reached its best historical level. The Yangtze River Delta's status as a high-quality development model area has been continuously consolidated.
5. Shanghai Port's Annual Container Throughput Exceeds 50 Million TEUs.
Reporters learned from Shanghai International Port Group that as of December 22, Shanghai Port's annual container throughput exceeded 50 million TEUs, setting a new historical high. At the same time, Shanghai Port's international transshipment business increased by over 20% year-on-year, with the annual total expected to exceed 7 million TEUs.
6. Xinjiang Pilot Free Trade Zone's Imports and Exports Exceed 170 Billion Yuan in First Year.
According to Urumqi Customs statistics, since its establishment one year ago, the Xinjiang Pilot Free Trade Zone's import and export value reached 172.9 billion yuan, strongly promoting Xinjiang's high-level opening-up.
7. 100 Units and 198 Individuals Awarded Advanced Titles for National Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Work.
The Ministry of Culture and Tourism today (December 23) awarded 100 units the title of "National Advanced Collective for Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Work" and 198 individuals the title of "National Advanced Individual for Intangible Cultural Heritage Protection Work." Currently, China has recognized over 100,000 intangible cultural heritage representative projects at various levels and over 90,000 intangible cultural heritage representative inheritors at various levels.
8. Trade Union Service Stations Achieve 15-Minute Service Circle System.
Reporters learned from the All-China Federation of Trade Unions that major cities and key urban areas nationwide have basically achieved a cross-coverage trade union service system with a 15-minute service circle. Currently, 186,100 trade union service stations have been built nationwide, serving over 2.3 million people daily and benefiting 193 million employees.
9. Ninth China Disabled Persons' Ice and Snow Sports Season Kicks Off.
Today (December 23), the Ninth China Disabled Persons' Ice and Snow Sports Season kicked off in Hohhot, Inner Mongolia. This season's theme is "Blooming Ice and Snow Dreams, Enjoying Rehabilitation and Fitness Sports." From now until April 2025, various regions will successively organize disabled persons' ice and snow events and public ice and snow carnivals for disabled persons.
10. CMG's 2025 Documentary Lineup Released.
China Media Group (CMG) today (December 23) released its 2025 documentary lineup under the theme of "Documentary: The Power of Time," featuring 50 works including the "Trilogy of Civilization Exploration," "A Bite of China (Season 4)," and "Song of the Yellow River." These works cover various themes such as history and nature, comprehensively, three-dimensionally, and profoundly showcasing the rich connotations of Chinese stories and the myriad aspects of China in the new era.
Yemen's Houthi Rebels Claim Strike on U.S. Aircraft Carrier, Thwart U.S.-UK Attacks
The Yemeni Houthi movement announced on the 22nd that it had attacked the USS Truman aircraft carrier in the Red Sea, thwarting a joint US-UK attack on Yemen. During the operation, a US F/A-18 fighter jet was shot down. The US Central Command had stated the day before that a US F/A-18 fighter jet was mistakenly shot down by US warship fire over the Red Sea. Israeli PM says will jointly combat Houthis with US and others. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated on the 22nd that Israel would take joint action with the US and others to combat the Yemeni Houthi movement. According to Israeli media reports, Mossad Director David Barnea said on the 22nd that a direct strike on Iran should be carried out.
International News Briefs
Palestine says Israeli attacks in Gaza Strip kill 35. The Palestinian Gaza Strip Civil Defense Department stated that from the night of the 21st to the 22nd, Israeli forces attacked schools sheltering displaced people in Gaza City and tent camps in the Mawasi "humanitarian safe zone" in the southern Gaza Strip, resulting in at least 35 deaths. The Israeli military claimed to have struck Hamas militants in these areas. Russia says it attacked Ukrainian military airports, Ukraine says it repelled Russian attacks. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on the 22nd that Russian forces had taken control of a settlement each in the Donetsk and Kharkiv regions, attacked Ukrainian military airport infrastructure and other targets, and shot down 100 Ukrainian drones. Additionally, regarding the Ukrainian drone attack on Kazan recently, Russian President Putin stated on the 22nd that anyone who attempts to harm Russia will face "double the consequences." Ukraine stated on the 22nd that fighting continued in multiple areas, and Ukrainian forces repelled multiple Russian attacks in the Pokrovsk and Kurakhovo regions.