January 1st 2024.
New Year's Day in Ukraine was marred by an onslaught of drone strikes by the Russian forces. In the early hours of the morning, cities like Odesa, Lviv, and Kharviv were hit with brutal attacks. Kyiova forces targeted the Donbas Palace Hotel in Donetsk, shortly after President Putin issued a midnight address to his people.
Ukraine reported that they had successfully downed 87 of the 90 Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones that had been launched by Russia -- the most ever shot down in one attack. In Odesa, one person was killed and nine more were injured after debris from the drone strike hit a high rise building and sent flaming debris plummeting to the ground. Nataliya Humenyuk, the spokeswoman for the Ukrainian southern defence forces, reported that the port infrastructure had been damaged due to the explosions that caused a fire.
Mayor Gennady Trukhanov of Odesa was outraged by the attack, saying that Russia had chosen to target Ukraine as the new year was approaching. A 'Christmas Classics by Candlelight' concert in Odesa was interrupted by an air raid siren. Trukhanov said, "They say how you celebrate the new year is how you will spend it. Well, this year Ukraine will break this rule. We will stand and we will win, for we have justice and God on our side."
The village of Belogorscha near Lviv also suffered drone damage, as the Roman Shukhevych Memorial Museum was hit by a Russian attack. University dormitories were also destroyed in Dublyany. Mayor Andriy Sadovyi of Lviv reported that two places of national memory were hit in Lviv, and declared that this was a "war for our history".
The Kharkiv region was also targeted by four S-300 anti-aircraft guided missiles, three Kh-31P anti-radar missiles, and one Kh-59. In Donetsk, which is currently held by Russia, the pro-Moscow leader, Denis Pushilin reported four dead and thirteen wounded.
Putin delivered a new year address claiming that his troops were "heroes". He said, "I would like to address our military personnel -- everyone who is on duty, who is on the front lines fighting for truth and justice. You are our heroes. Our hearts are with you. We are proud of you and we admire your courage. The main thing which has united us is the destiny of the Motherland. We are united in our thoughts, tasks and in combat, whether at work or on days off, displaying the main traits of the Russian people -- solidarity, mercy and firmness."
The missile attack on Kyiv on December 29th resulted in a total of 27 victims, according to the capital city's military administration. The rescue operation is still continuing, and Kyiv has declared a day of mourning. People in the Volyn, Rivne, Lviv, and Ternopil regions of Ukraine are now on high alert, as explosions were heard in the Kyiv-controlled city of Kherson.
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