Ukraine war: 'What's happening in Russia now is total fear' – BBC”>Russia–Ukraine war: List of key events, day 921 – Al Jazeera”>Russia Launches New Year’s Eve Missile Strikes, Su-57 Jets Dodge Face-off with Ukraine
Russia kicked off the New Year with a series of missile attacks against Ukraine, according to reports. In a move that dampened hopes for a possible ceasefire, the strikes were launched into several cities and regions, causing widespread disruption and fear among civilians.
The attacks came despite earlier statements from Russian officials suggesting that they would not carry out military operations over the New Year holiday. Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, condemned the moves as "aggression against our state and our people."
In the midst of the chaos, Russian Su-57 jets were reported to have engaged in air maneuvers to avoid a direct confrontation with Ukrainian forces. The move came as a surprise, given Russia’s tendency to deploy its most advanced military hardware in high-stakes situations.
Earlier in the day, a Russian drone attack on a Ukrainian military convoy had left devastation in its wake, according to a CNBC Indonesia report. The strike was another reminder of Russia’s growing reliance on unmanned aerial vehicles in its ongoing war with Ukraine.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv, was targeted in a rocket attack on New Year’s Eve. In a statement, Ukraine’s military declared that it had successfully intercepted some of the incoming missiles, but that the city had still sustained "serious damage."
As the conflict enters its tenth month, peace talks seem as distant as ever. Ukrainians, however, remain undeterred, with President Zelensky vowing to continue the fight for his country’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.
In a separate development, a fire broke out in the Russian city of Smolensk following an alleged drone attack by Ukrainian forces. Russian officials quickly blamed the incident on "Ukrainian provocateurs," but provided little evidence to support their claims.
With no signs of let-up in the hostilities, the international community continues to monitor the situation closely, calling on both sides to exercise restraint and engage in meaningful dialogue. Yet, as the New Year gets underway, the outlook for a resolution to the conflict remains uncertain.
