Russia fired off a recent barrage of strikes at Ukraine on New Yr’s Eve, launching almost 100 Shahed loitering munitions towards cities throughout the nation. The Basic Employees of the Armed Forces of Ukraine stated their air protection forces had shot down 87 of the Iranian-made drones.
A 15-year-old boy was killed and 7 folks had been wounded after particles from one of many drones that was downed hit a residential constructing in Odesa, the pinnacle of the regional administration stated in line with the Related Press.
The newest vacation launch got here on the heels of an air assault on Friday, throughout which the Ukrainian Air Drive introduced down 114 of 158 projectiles fired by Russia. Kyiv stated Friday’s bombardment, the largest of the battle, had killed at the least 45 folks.
Nationwide unity took heart stage throughout Russian President Vladimir Putin’s New Yr tackle to the nation, although the president solely referenced the battle obliquely. He praised Russian troops — however didn’t point out Ukraine by title, nor did he make direct reference to the so-called particular navy operation, Kremlin-speak for the battle in Ukraine.
“What united us and unites us is the destiny of the Fatherland, a deep understanding of the very best significance of the historic stage by way of which Russia is passing,” Putin stated to the nation. Putin stated Russia would by no means retreat and there was no pressure that might divide Russians and cease the nation’s improvement, the AP reported citing state media.
On Saturday, Ukrainian strikes towards Belgorod, a Russian metropolis roughly 35 kilometers from the border, killed at the least two dozen and wounded greater than 100, in line with regional Russian authorities — however the assault didn’t characteristic in Putin’s four-minute video message.
Putin, visiting injured troopers in hospital on New Yr’s Day, referred to as the Ukrainian air strikes a “terrorist act” and stated Russia would strike again forcefully: “That is positively against the law towards the civilian inhabitants,” Putin stated. “It is not going to go unpunished, a hundred percent, of that there there will be little question.”
In his midnight tackle, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy marked 676 days of battle by commending the resilience of Ukraine’s residents and troopers and highlighting Ukraine’s invitation to hitch the European Union.
“We have no idea for sure what the brand new yr will convey us,” Zelenskyy stated, with Ukraine’s counteroffensive largely stalled and the rising probability of stalemate throughout the entrance. “However this yr we will add: no matter it brings, we will likely be stronger.”
This story has been up to date.
