SAMEER AL-DOUMY/AFP via Getty Images(NEW YORK) -- More than 10 months after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion into neighboring Ukraine, the two countries are engaged in a struggle for control of areas throughout eastern and southern Ukraine. Putin's forces in November pulled out of key positions, retreating from Kherson as Ukrainian troops led a counteroffensive targeting the city. Russian drones have continued bombarding civilian targets throughout Ukraine, knocking out critical power infrastructure as winter sets in. Here's how the news is developing. All times Eastern: Jan 10, 1:30 PM EST Russians on verge of overtaking eastern Ukrainian city Russian troops were on the verge Tuesday of capturing a salt mining town in eastern Ukraine in an apparent attempt to cut off the enemy's supply routes, according to British intelligence officials. The Russian forces, along with mercenaries from the Wagner private military company, were likely in control of the city of Soledar, which is about six miles north of Bakhmut in the Donbas region, where heavy fighting has been reported in recent days, the British officials said. The attack on Soledar is an apparent attempt to bypass Bakhmut from the north and disrupt Ukrainian supply routes, the British intelligence officials said. Part of the fighting is being waged near the entrances to the 124 miles of abandoned salt mine tunnels that run under the area. Despite the increased pressure on Bakhmut, Russia is unlikely to be able to encircle the city in the near future because Ukrainian forces have created a stable line of defense and control supply routes in the area, the British officials said. The Ukrainian Army said Russian troops carried out 86 artillery strikes on Soledar in a 24-hour period, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has described the fighting there as "very difficult." Jan 06, 7:27 AM EST Orthodox Christmas ceasefire now on for 36 hours Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a Christmas "truce" for the next 36 hours with a temporary ceasefire set to end at midnight on Jan. 7. Air raid sirens sounded across several southern and eastern regions of Ukraine a few hours before ceasefire started. However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy last night called the truce a "cover" to stop Ukraine from advancing in the east. The Russian Orthodox Church celebrates Christmas Day on Jan. 7 but the brief unilateral Russian ceasefire called by Putin is not expected to last beyond the announced period. The temporary ceasefire could put Ukraine in a difficult position. If it seeks to stop Russia regrouping its forces during the ceasefire, it could be accused of violating a truce it never agreed to in the first place and be portrayed as aggressive. However, if Ukraine stops fighting for the 36 hour period, it will likely face a more dangerous position when the ceasefire ends. Jan 05, 4:01 PM EST Germany to send Ukraine Patriot missile defense system Germany plans to provide Ukraine with a Patriot air defense battery, the White House confirmed Thursday. The United States agreed last month to send the first Patriot missile defense system to Ukraine to protect the country against Russia's ongoing missile and drone attacks targeting its critical infrastructure. The development came as President Joe Biden spoke by phone Thursday with German Chancellor Olaf Scholtz about the ongoing war. The White House also said it would send Bradley infantry fighting vehicles to Ukraine. Germany agreed to send Marder infantry fighting vehicles, according to the White House. "They (Germany) reiterated their support for Ukraine's sovereignty and independence," the White House said in a statement. "They reaffirmed their unwavering solidarity with Ukraine and the Ukrainian people in the face of Russia's aggression." -ABC News' Matt Seyler and Ben Gittleson Jan 05, 2:22 PM EST Biden expresses skepticism of Putin Orthodox Chirstmas cease-fire proposal President Joe Biden said Thursday that he is skeptical of Russian President Valdimir Putin's proposal for a cease-fire during the Orthodox Christmas holiday, suggesting it was a ploy to find some breathing room in the war with Ukraine. "I'm reluctant to respond to anything Putin says," Biden said. Biden made the comments in response to a reporter's question following unrelated remarks at the White House about the U.S.-Mexico border. "I found it interesting. He was ready to bomb hospitals and nurseries and churches," said Biden, referring to Russian missile strikes on Ukraine on Dec. 25 and over the New Year's Day holiday. "I think he's trying to find some oxygen." -ABC News' Ben Gittleson Jan 05, 10:57 AM EST Putin calls for Orthodox Christmas truce Russian President Valdimir Putin has called for a temporary cease-fire in the war with Ukraine to observe Orthodox Christmas, according to the Kremlin. Putin proposed a cease-fire beginning at noon on Friday and ending at midnight Saturday, according to the Kremlin. Orthodox Christmas Day is on Saturday. Putin instructed his minister of defense, Sergei Shoigu, to introduce the ceasefire along the entire line of contact between the warring countries in Ukraine during the holiday. The Kremlin said the truce is being called for with "Christian love, true faith and crystal truthfulness." There was no immediate response from Ukraine on whether its forces would abide by the truce. Jan 05, 4:31 AM EST Moscow religious leader calls for Christmas truce On the eve of the Orthodox Christmas, Patriarch Kirill of Moscow and All Russia called for the establishment of a Christmas truce in the zone of military activities. "I, Kirill, Patriarch of Moscow and All Russia, appeal to all parties involved in the internecine conflict to cease fire and establish a Christmas truce from 12.00 on January 6 to 24.00 on January 7, so that Orthodox people can attend services on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day," the patriarch said in a statement, published on Thursday on the website of the Russian Orthodox Church. Jan 04, 5:29 PM EST Biden confirms that US considering sending Bradley Fighting Vehicles to Ukraine President Joe Biden told reporters Wednesday the U.S. is considering giving Ukrainian troops Bradley Fighting Vehicles, confirming earlier reports that such a deal was in the works. A Bradley Infantry Fighting Vehicle is the U.S. Army's main armored fighting vehicle for transporting troops into combat. It is a light armored vehicle equipped with a 25mm gun that can push through enemy lines and can take on tanks. Ukrainian officials have been asking for the vehicle to bolster their forces. -ABC News' Luis Martinez Jan 04, 1:21 PM EST Putin sends new hypersonic cruise missiles into combat service A Russian frigate armed with new hypersonic Zircon cruise missiles has been sent to active duty. Russian President Vladimir Putin made the announcement during a video meeting on Wednesday with Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu and Igor Krokhmal, commander of the Admiral Gorshkov frigate. "I'm sure that such a powerful weapon will let Russia defend against potential external threats and will contribute to protect national interests of our country," Putin said. Shoigu added: "The focus of this deployment will be to counteract threats facing Russia and to maintain regional peace and stability together with friendly countries." -ABC News' Will Gretsky Jan 04, 8:57 AM EST Ukraine locates Russian outpost via data on soldiers' cellphones Russian soldiers using their mobile phones just after midnight on New Year's provided Ukraine with the data to locate a Russian outpost in the city of Makiivka ahead of Ukraine's deadly attack, according to Russia. Six rockets were fired from U.S.-made HIMAR rocket launchers. Russia's Ministry of Defense said 89 soldiers were killed in the attack but Ukrainian officials claim the death toll is much higher. Russian authorities have not yet compiled lists of the wounded and dead. Jan 02, 3:36