Ukrainian soldiers fire a round on the frontline from a T80 tank that was captured from Russians during a battle in Trostyanets in March; Credit: REUTERS/Clodagh Kilcoyne

(Reuters) - Ukrainian forces are holding their positions against Russian troops in the eastern Donbas region and making small advances in some areas, President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday 30 December 2022.

"On the whole, we are holding our positions," Zelensky said in his nightly video address. "There are also some areas of the front where we are advancing a bit."

Zelensky also said Ukraine, subject to waves of Russian air attacks, had strengthened its anti-aircraft capability and would further strengthen it in the new year to protect both itself and the entire European continent.