According to Ukrainian authorities, cities and towns in the east have faced intense bombardment in the past 24 hours. The country’s interior minister stated that more than 100 settlements have been under fire, making it the heaviest day of Russian shelling this year. The minister further mentioned on social media that Russia launched millions of shells on cities across the eastern regions of Ukraine. This is the largest number of cities and villages attacked since the beginning of the year. The strikes conducted by Russia have caused significant damage, turning some towns and villages into rubble. Authorities reported casualties in various locations, including deaths and injuries. The worry among Ukraine and its Western allies, such as the United States, is that Russia may target energy infrastructure as winter approaches, leading to potential hardships for Ukraine. Ukrainian top general Valery Zaluzhny stated in an interview that the conflict is shifting towards a state of attrition, and Ukraine will require new technology and a larger army reserve to achieve its goals. Despite hopes for a decisive counteroffensive resulting in territorial gains, Zaluzhny expressed that there would be no major breakthrough.