Ceasefire for upcoming Christmas, New year in Ukraine?

Even as Ukraine struggles to battle Russian attack during chilling winter, it is unlikely that offensive by Moscow against Kyiv will be halted for the upcoming Christmas and New year holidays.

"No, no proposals have been received from anyone and no topic of this kind is on the agenda," the Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters in response to a question on whether Russia would pause hostilities for the New Year or Christmas.

Christmas in Russia is celebrated on January 7, according to the Orthodox calendar, and public holidays in the country usually extend from New Year's Day until after Christmas.

ALSO WATCH: Russia rejects pullout from Ukraine as condition for talks

Russian President Vladimir Putin launched what was supposed to be a lightening offensive in Ukraine in February, and Kyiv has said it is determined to continue fighting until it recaptures swathes of territory under Russian control.

In nearly 10 months of fighting, Russia has yet to fulfil any of its stated key goals in what it refers to as its "special military operation" in Ukraine, including seizing the capital or the eastern Donbas region.

With AFP inputs