Russia Launches 200 Drones On New Year’s Day’
by Stefan J. Bos, Worthy News Europe Bureau Chief
KYIV/BUDAPEST (Worthy News) – Ukraine’s president said Russia deliberately carried its war into the New Year by launching more than 200 attack drones overnight, striking multiple regions across the country amid freezing winter conditions.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on New Year’s Day that most of the drones were shot down, but confirmed hits in the Volyn, Rivne, Zaporizhzhia, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, and Chernihiv regions.
Zelenskyy said the primary targets were energy facilities, underscoring the strain on civilians during winter weather. Video footage circulating online appeared to show the intensity of the strikes. There was no immediate comment from Moscow, as Russia’s full-scale invasion approaches its fifth year.
It was not immediately clear how many people were killed or wounded. However, previous Russian attacks have caused numerous casualties, Ukrainian officials noted.
“Wherever necessary, rescuers are providing assistance, and power engineers are restoring electricity after the strikes,” Zelenskyy said.
MISSILE STRIKE HITS KHARKIV
Later, the Ukrainian leader reported a “heinous” missile strike on Kharkiv, saying two missiles hit a residential area. One building was severely damaged, and rescue operations were underway. The number of casualties was still being assessed.
Zelenskyy urged Western allies to maintain and accelerate air-defense deliveries, warning against any delays during the holidays.
“The killings must be stopped—there can be no pauses in protecting human life,” he said in a message on X. “If the strikes do not stop even during the New Year holidays, then air-defense deliveries cannot be delayed.”
He added that agreements reached with the United States at the end of December should be delivered on time, expressing gratitude to allies for standing with Ukraine.
SECURITY TALKS AND NATO PARTICIPATION
Zelenskyy said a meeting of national security advisers would take place in Ukraine over the weekend, with 15 countries confirmed, along with representatives of European institutions and NATO. U.S. representatives are expected to join by video, followed by talks among chiefs of general staff.
“The main issue is security guarantees for Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said, should a peace deal eventually emerge. “Politically, almost everything is ready—it is crucial to work through every detail of how the guarantees will function in the air, on land, and at sea.”
On January 6, Zelenskyy said European leaders and members of the Coalition of the Willing backing Ukraine will meet to bolster political confidence in both security guarantees and prospects for peace.
“If we succeed in ending the war, that will be the key goal for all normal people,” he added.
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