Ukrainian emergency workers and servicemen carry the body of a resident killed in Russia's massive air attack in Zaporizhzhia, Ukraine, Dec 29, 2023. (PHOTO / AP)

MOSCOW / ROME - Russian forces have repelled an attack carried out by a Ukrainian assault group in the Zaporizhzhia region, the defense ministry said in a statement Wednesday.

Over the past day, Russian forces "repelled an attack carried out by the third assault brigade of the National Guard of Ukraine in the area of the Rabotino settlement, in the Zaporizhzhia region", it said.

According to the ministry, strikes were also delivered at manpower clusters of the "117th Mechanised Brigade" and "128th Mountain Assault Brigade" of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Zaporizhzhia region

According to the ministry, strikes were also delivered at manpower clusters of the "117th Mechanised Brigade" and "128th Mountain Assault Brigade" of the Ukrainian armed forces in the Zaporizhzhia region.

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Ukraine incurred casualties of around 40 military personnel and three vehicles, the statement added.  

Italian to continue supporting Ukraine

Italy's parliament on Wednesday approved a resolution reaffirming the country's support for Ukraine for another year in that country's conflict with Russia.

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Both houses of the Italian parliament supported the resolution, with the lower house casting 195 votes in favor, 50 against and 55 abstentions. A few hours later, the Senate recorded 103 votes in favor, 24 against and 27 abstentions.

In a change to previous resolutions of support in Italy, the vote also called for the Italian government to support "all diplomatic efforts" to negotiate an end to the conflict as long as those efforts lead to a "lasting" and "balanced" peace.

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Italy is among the countries sending military equipment to Ukraine since the start of the conflict. Public support for aid to Ukraine from European Union member states has eroded in recent months.