Russian forces are conquering more territories in Ukraine, while President Zelenskyj asks for support from Western allies.

Russian forces say they have captured two more villages in eastern Ukraine, reports the Telegraph. These are the village of Netailowe in the Donetsk region and Ivanivka in the northeastern Kharkiv region. 

Two weeks ago, Russia launched a new, significant ground offensive in the northeastern Kharkiv region. It appears Moscow is trying to press its advantage on the battlefield as much-needed U.S. weapons flow to Ukrainian troops on the front lines.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urged his Western partners to give Kiev permission to attack military targets in Russia to defend itself against Kremlin forces. “We know every location where Russian troops are concentrated. We know from which areas Russian missiles and fighter jets launch,” Zelensky said, according to the Telegraph.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg also spoke out in favor of such support. “If Ukraine is not allowed to attack military targets on Russian territory, this will tie one hand to Ukraine and make it very difficult for it to defend itself,” Stoltenberg said. This demand was strongly condemned by the Kremlin.