Ukraine, Russia assess resources as winter nears

Ukrainian marines move through trees on the frontline. Pic/AP

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he spoke by phone with U.S. President Joe Biden about Washington's future support for Kyiv, and Russian President Vladimir Putin visited a military base near the Ukrainian border, as the warring countries laid plans for the winter and next year's combat operations.

Almost 20 months of war have sapped both sides' military resources. The fighting is likely to settle into positional and attritional warfare during the approaching wintry weather, analysts say, with little change along the more than 1,000-km front line.

Zelenskyy said late Thursday he spoke to Biden about "a significant support package" for Ukraine. Western help has been crucial for Ukraine's war effort. Meanwhile, Putin visited late Thursday the headquarters of Russia's Southern Military District.

Ukraine may ban Orthodox church

The Monastery of the Caves, one of the holiest sites of Eastern Orthodox Christians. Pic/AP

Ukraine's parliament voted overwhelmingly Thursday to advance legislation seen as effectively banning the Ukrainian Orthodox Church over its ties to Moscow, despite the church's insistence that it is fully independent and supportive of Ukraine's fight against Russian invaders.

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