Putin tells frontline commanders Russia will prevail in Ukraine war

Moscow: Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the nation on New Year's Day. During his address, he signaled a prolonged war in Ukraine. In his message to soldiers on the front lines, he said that Moscow is confident of victory in Ukraine, even if the conflict drags on for another year. Putin's New Year's speech was first broadcast in the Kamchatka Peninsula, the first Russian region to enter 2026. Putin called the soldiers fighting in Ukraine heroes. Addressing Russian fighters and commanders, Putin said, "We believe in you and in our victory."

Putin's address focused primarily on the war effort and made no mention of the alleged Ukrainian drone attack on his residence. December 31st also marked 26 years since Putin first came to power. Putin's New Year's message comes at a time when international efforts to end the ongoing war in Ukraine have intensified.

Russia occupies a fifth of Ukraine

Russia currently occupies approximately 20 percent of Ukraine's territory and is carrying out almost daily missile and drone attacks, which have killed thousands of civilians. Energy and other critical infrastructure are being targeted. According to the news agency AFP, these attacks have caused prolonged power outages in the bitter cold.

US efforts to stop the war

Meanwhile, the Trump administration in the US has intensified diplomatic efforts to stop the war. Recently, Donald Trump met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in Florida. He is then expected to attend a summit with allies in France on January 6.

Earlier on Wednesday, the European Union accused Russia of trying to derail negotiations after Moscow claimed that Ukraine had attempted to attack one of Putin's residences in the Novgorod region with a drone. Kyiv denied the allegations, saying it had not carried out any such attack. The Russian Ministry of Defense released a video of the downed drone. Russia claimed it was one of 91 Ukrainian drones involved in the alleged attack on Putin's residence.