Ukraine and Russia Flags folded together / Envato Market

by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief

KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia “believes in victory” in Ukraine during a New Year’s Eve address, calling on Russians to support troops nearly four years after Moscow launched its full-scale invasion.

The speech came as Russia released video footage claiming its nuclear-capable Oreshnik missile systems have entered active combat duty in neighboring Belarus, a move that could allow faster strikes on European targets near the borders of the NATO military alliance. Moscow says the missiles are impossible to intercept, a claim disputed by Western analysts.

Russia also accused Ukraine of attempting a drone attack on one of Putin’s residences, allegations Kyiv strongly denied, calling them a provocation aimed at hardening Moscow’s position in U.S.-brokered peace talks. European Union foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the claims were “unfounded” and intended to derail diplomacy.

Meanwhile, fighting continued on the ground. Ukrainian officials said Russian drone strikes hit apartment buildings and energy infrastructure in the southern city of Odesa, injuring six people, including children, and damaging multiple residential blocks. Power company DTEK reported significant damage to energy facilities.

Russia’s top general said forces are pressing operations in northeastern Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkiv regions, seeking to expand what Moscow calls a “buffer zone” along the border—an idea Kyiv rejects as a pretext for deeper incursions.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated openness to diplomacy and invited U.S. President Donald Trump to visit Ukraine, saying such a trip could help advance a ceasefire as negotiations continue.

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