Vladimir Putin has admitted he is “angry” after a series of Ukrainian rocket attacks on the Russian border town of Belgorod left 20 people dead and 111 injured.
He told a group of wounded Russian soldiers on Monday that the attack was a “terrorist attack” and that Ukraine had specifically targeted civilians.
When a soldier asked how Russia would retaliate, he replied: “We can attack places in Kiev or any other city.”
“There are children walking there, mothers with strollers.” I understand, I'm making myself angry. But I want to ask you a question. Is that what we should do?'
Putin said the attacks, which came with increased Russian airstrikes on the Ukrainian cities of Kiev and Kharkiv, “will not go unpunished.”
Putin said he was “angry” about Ukraine’s attack
At a meeting on Monday, he told soldiers that Russia would continue to attack “sensitive” military targets in Ukraine
Ukraine said it destroyed a record number of Iranian-made, Russian-launched Shahed kamikaze drones, with 87 of 90 shot down
Putin said Russia would continue to attack “sensitive” military targets in Ukraine. Russia rejects Western and Ukrainian accusations that it is targeting civilian infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had earlier vowed to unleash his nation's “wrath” on Vladimir Putin's forces after Russia launched a wave of drone strikes on Ukraine in the early hours of New Year's Day.
Ukraine said it destroyed a record number of Iranian-made, Russian-launched Shahed kamikaze drones, with 87 of 90 shot down.
One person died and nine were injured in Odessa after a fire broke out when debris from a Russian drone hit a high-rise building.
Zelensky said in his televised New Year's address to Ukraine that Russia would soon face the “wrath of domestic production.”
Ukraine will have at least “a million” additional drones in its arsenal next year, Zelensky added, as well as F-16 fighter jets supplied by its Western partners.
Ukraine calls on Western allies to maintain their military support
An apartment block in Odessa was set on fire after it was hit by a Russian drone
A family with a young child from Odessa is seen moving into an emergency shelter after their apartment was hit by a Russian drone
Ukraine said it destroyed a record number of Iranian-made, Russian-launched Shahed kamikaze drones, with 87 of 90 shot down
“Our pilots are already proficient with F-16 jets and we will definitely see them in our skies,” he said.
Port infrastructure was damaged after explosions that sparked a fire, said Nataliya Humenyuk, spokeswoman for Ukraine's Southern Defense Forces.
Defiant Odessa Mayor Gennady Trukhanov criticized Russia for the attack on Ukraine as the New Year approached.
“They say that the way you celebrate the New Year is how you spend it,” he said.
“Well, this year Ukraine will break that rule.”
“We will stand and win, because we have justice and God on our side.”
Despite billions of dollars' worth of Western weapons, Ukraine has struggled to make a major breakthrough in its counteroffensive against an invading Russia in 2023
Odessa residents sit outside on New Year's Day after their apartment block was hit by a Russian drone
Moscow has increased pressure on the front and captured several cities
In the village of Belogorscha near Lviv, drones damaged the Roman Shukhevich Memorial Museum due to a Russian attack.
Shuchevich had commanded the Nightingale Battalion, a volunteer unit that operated under orders from the Organization of Ukrainian Nationalists (OUN), as a subunit of the German counterintelligence special operations.
In Dublyany near Lviv, student dormitories were hit and destroyed.
“Tonight the enemy hit two places of national memory in Lviv: the university in Dublyany, where [Ukrainian nationalist] Stepan Bandera studied the Roman Shukhevych Museum 100 years ago. Symbolic and cynical. “A war for our history,” said Lviv Mayor Andriy Sadovyi.
In the Kharkiv region, Russia struck with four S-300 anti-aircraft missiles, three Kh-31P anti-radar missiles and one Kh-59, Ukrainian sources said.
Firefighters worked late into the night to extinguish fires caused by drones
In Russian-held Donetsk, pro-Moscow leader Denis Pushilin reported four dead and 13 injured
In Russian-held Donetsk, pro-Moscow leader Denis Pushilin reported four dead and 13 injured.
A military correspondent was reportedly killed.
The Russian side claimed that 15 MLRS missiles were received.
As New Year's Day dawned, explosions were heard again in the Kiev-controlled city of Kherson.
Air alerts were in effect in the Ukrainian regions of Volhynia, Rivne, Lviv and Ternopil.
The number of victims of the missile attack on Kiev on December 29 rose to 27, according to the capital's military administration.
Britain announced it would send hundreds more anti-aircraft missiles to Kiev
Ukraine has been in the midst of an invasion for 22 months
The rescue operation continues and today the city has declared a day of mourning.
Putin's attack on Russia came as he gave a New Year's speech in which he claimed his troops were “heroes.”
“I want to address our military personnel – all those serving, who are on the front lines fighting for truth and justice,” he said.
“You are our heroes.” Our hearts go out to you. We are proud of you and admire your courage.
“I am aware that you now feel the love of your nearest and dearest, the powerful, sincere support of millions of Russian citizens, the support of the entire people.”
He claimed: “The most important thing that unites us is the fate of the motherland.”
And he said the Russians were characterized by “mercy.”
“We are united in our thoughts, tasks and struggle, whether at work or on days off, showing the main characteristics of the Russian people – solidarity, mercy and firmness,” he said in his shortest New Year's address in four years.
Despite billions of dollars worth of Western weapons, Ukraine has struggled to make a major breakthrough in its counteroffensive against invading Russian forces in 2023.
Meanwhile, Moscow has stepped up pressure along the front, seizing the eastern city of Marinka in early December and pushing for control of Kupiansk in the northeast.
Ukraine calls on Western allies to maintain military support.
Britain said it would send hundreds more anti-aircraft missiles to Kiev after Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said: “We must continue to stand by Ukraine – for as long as it takes.”