Putin: "There is no force that can divide us"
Vladimir Putin did not explicitly mention the war in Ukraine during his New Year's address, which according to Reuters appeared to be focused on uniting the nation and sending a message of "normality".
- We have shown more than once that we can solve the most difficult problems and that we will never back down, because there is no force that can divide us, says Putin.
The speech, which was only four minutes long, differs markedly from last year, when an "angry, defiant and humiliated" Putin, according to the NYT, accused the West of "cynically exploiting Ukraine."
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Zelenskyi: Next year you will feel the wrath of domestic production
In his New Year's speech, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy issued a sharp warning to Russia, reports AFP.
- Next year, the enemy will feel the wrath of domestic production.
Faced with the threat of declining support from the West, Ukraine in 2023 has focused on strengthening domestic arms production. In September, the country hosted an international defense forum in Kyiv, where 252 companies from 30 countries participated.
In 2024, Ukraine will add at least one million drones to its arsenal, Zelenskyy said. In addition, the country's F-16 pilots are in hard training, and the expected fighter jets from allied countries will "definitely" be seen in the skies, he added.
Despite several billions in aid from the West, Ukraine has not managed to make any significant gains on the front in 2023.
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Five dead in New Year attacks on Donetsk and Odesa
Four people have been killed in a Ukrainian attack on the Russian-occupied city of Donetsk, a person from the Russian-controlled administration said according to Reuters. 14 people are said to have been injured.
At least one person was killed in connection with a Russian drone attack on the port city of Odesa in western Ukraine. The governor of the region says that the Russian drones were shot down, but that falling objects caused damage to both people and buildings.
- Fires broke out in several residential buildings around the city, says Governor Oleg Kiper.
The regions of Dnipro and Mykolaiv have also been subjected to Russian attacks,
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