Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has asked Western nations for more military support, including air defense systems and drones.

Zelenskyy made the requests in an interview with US television network NBC released on Sunday.

He also downplayed the view expressed by the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian forces that the military is at a stalemate against Russian forces.

Zelenskyy acknowledged that the situation is difficult, but said he does not think that they have reached a stalemate. He also noted that winter is a very challenging period and explained the need for more military help. He said, "If Russia will kill all of us, they will attack NATO countries." He added that the price will be higher.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on Monday announced that 53 combat engagements took place the day before. It disclosed that operating conditions in eastern and southern Ukraine remain difficult.

The Ukrainian military also said Russian offensives have failed in the areas near Avdiivka in the eastern region of Donetsk, as well as northwest of Verbove in the southern region of Zaporizhzhia.

Meanwhile, Russia's defense ministry on Sunday announced that its forces repelled attacks by Ukrainian forces in eastern and southern Ukraine. The ministry said its troops destroyed a depot of Ukrainian air force equipment while hitting its airfield in the eastern region of Dnipropetrovsk.