Ukraine survived another round of missile and drone attacks early on New Year’s Day, with President Volodymyr Zelensky praising the country’s determination to overcome Russian aggression, saying, “If we win, we’ll hug you.” ‘ said.
Russia launched 45 Iranian drones overnight, mostly over the capital Kyiv, all of which were shot down by Ukrainian air defenses and no casualties were reported. “It didn’t work out that the holiday was ruined for Ukrainians!” said the country’s air force.
The latest attack happened hours later Saturday’s volley of cruise missiles Russia kicked off when President Vladimir Putin delivered a militaristic year-end message, during which he promised to put an end to the “Nazi criminal regime in Kyiv.”
Surrounded by uniformed soldiers, Putin’s speech contrasted with Zelensky’s more emotional message. He said Zelensky wants “one thing: victory” and that 2023 will be the year of return for Ukrainians expelled from Ukraine. All-out invasion of Russia Started over 10 months ago.
“Return to the families of our people, the soldiers. Prisoners — to their homes. Migrants — to their Ukraine. . said in his overnight New Year’s address to “For happy moments with no curfew… no air raid warnings.”
A Russian family watches as President Vladimir Putin delivers his New Year’s greetings © Alexander Nemenov/AFP/Getty Images
Russia has stepped up its use of missiles and drone strikes as its military operations on the ground stalled in the face of Ukrainian counterattacks aimed at destroying critical infrastructure and undermining Ukraine’s morale.
Kyiv air raid warning It started after midnight and lasted until nearly 5am on New Year’s Day. But by noon, the capital’s streets were marked by relaxed-looking Ukrainians, and the aisles of the posh central Zum department store were bustling with shoppers.
Western officials have condemned the recent series of Russian attacks and promised to continue working with Ukraine in 2023.
US Ambassador to Ukraine Bridget Brink wrote on Twitter: But Putin still doesn’t seem to understand that Ukrainians are made of steel. “
The EU’s head of foreign policy, Josep Borrell, said in a tweet: We are determined to continue to support Ukraine. “
UK Defense Minister Ben Wallace tweeted: “Glory to Ukraine. UK will be with you in 2023.”
An attempted drone strike in Kyiv on Sunday resulted in only falling debris that caused little damage, city officials said. But her 20 cruise missiles fired by Russia from the Caspian Sea on Saturday killed at least one of her in Kyiv and injured dozens across the country. The Ukrainian military said it had shot down 12 missiles, lower than the nearly 80% success rate achieved against recent attacks.
Zelensky, who promised last week that the country’s air defenses would be “even stronger and more efficient” in the new year, has long appealed to the US and its European allies to strengthen Ukraine’s defense system. Danger of running out of bullets.
Recent Russian attacks are partly aimed at further depleting these stocks, but US President Joe Biden has authorized the deployment of one Patriot air defense missile battery in Kyiv in the coming months. It happened a few days after I said I did.
Additional reporting by Henry Foy of Brussels
