The leaders of Ukraine and Russia both vowed to push for victory in New Year speeches, but while Volodymyr Zelensky spoke of gratitude and pain, Vladimir Putin urged duty to Russia, casting the war as a near-existential fight. The attacks followed a barrage of more than 20 cruise missiles fired across Ukraine on Saturday – and many bombardments earlier. “The main thing is the fate of Russia,” Putin, dressed in a dark suit and tie, said. ADVERTISEMENTReiterating that the West is supposedly intent on “destroying Russia” by using Kyiv, Putin vowed he will never allow that. While Putin immediately blamed Kyiv for orchestrating the powerful blast, Ukraine had not previously claimed responsibility for it – or any other attacks inside Russia, since Russia’s Feb. 24 invasion.

Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer January 01, 2023 11:49 UTC