Because the conflict enters its 677th day, these are the primary developments.
Right here is the scenario on Monday, January 1, 2024.
Preventing
- Russia launched a brand new wave of drone and missile assaults throughout Ukraine, with not less than 28 individuals injured after six missiles hit the northeastern metropolis of Kharkiv. Russia stated the assault on Ukraine’s second largest metropolis was “retaliation” for a lethal Ukrainian air raid on the Russian metropolis of Belgorod not removed from the border. Moscow focused a lodge housing navy commanders and “overseas mercenaries” in addition to the headquarters of the Ukrainian Safety Service for the area. Kharkiv metropolis officers stated the missiles struck residential buildings, accommodations and medical amenities, whereas drones hit residential buildings.
- Ukraine’s Air Power stated it had destroyed 21 of 49 Iranian-made Shahed drones Russia fired in its newest assault. Most have been aimed on the entrance line and elements of the Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Zaporizhia areas, it stated.
- Individually, Kharkiv regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov stated that three individuals have been killed when Russian forces shelled a village close to the entrance line.
- Within the southern Ukrainian metropolis of Kherson, in the meantime, Russian shelling killed a 14-year-old boy and left a 9-year-old boy in hospital in important situation, based on regional Governor Oleksandr Prokudin.
Politics and diplomacy
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy struck an optimistic notice as he sought to rally the nation in his New Yr handle. The 20-minute video message from his Kyiv workplace made nearly no direct reference to the scenario on the 1,000km (600-mile) entrance line or the restricted success of a counteroffensive launched in June. Nor did it confer with the political and diplomatic challenges dealing with Kyiv because it seeks to safe continued navy and different assist from its allies. As a substitute, Zelenskyy confused the energy and unity of the Ukrainian individuals within the face of Russia’s aggression and referenced successes in opposition to the Russian Navy within the Black Sea. He promised that Ukraine would wreak “wrath” on Russian forces in 2024.
- In his New Yr’s handle, Russian President Vladimir Putin made solely passing reference to the invasion, praising Russia’s troopers on the entrance line as “heroes” in a struggle for “fact and justice”. He additionally referred to as for unity amongst Russians within the face of “troublesome duties” and lauded Russian residents’ “solidarity, mercy and fortitude.” The four-minute pre-recorded video was aired simply earlier than midnight in every of Russia’s 11 time zones.
