Russia Marks New Year with Massive Drone Assault on Ukraine; Putin Expresses Confidence in Victory

“I would give anything in the world if I could say that peace will arrive in just a few minutes,” Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said just before midnight on New Year’s Eve.

According to Rokna, citing CNN, within Ukraine, Zelenskyy’s December 31 address was both defiant and cautiously optimistic regarding the intense shuttle diplomacy facilitated by the United States. He stressed that Russia, whose officials are also engaged in talks with Washington, remains the main obstacle to peace, with Putin steadfast in his maximalist demands.

“I would give anything in the world if I could announce that peace is arriving in a matter of minutes,” Zelenskyy said just before midnight. “Unfortunately, I cannot say that yet. But with a clear conscience, I — and all of us — can affirm that Ukraine is truly doing everything possible to secure peace.”

The Ukrainian leader had recently returned from a meeting with former US President Donald Trump in Florida. Following the meeting, Zelenskyy noted that Trump had offered 15 years of crucial “security guarantees” deemed essential to prevent another Russian assault, though Ukraine had requested 50 years.

Hours before the new year’s countdown, Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff shared on X that he had participated in a call with Zelenskyy, Ukrainian national security secretary Rustem Umerov, and national security advisers from the UK, France, and Germany. In a separate post, Umerov added that US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner had also joined the discussion.

Although Zelenskyy indicated that the peace agreement was “90% complete,” he acknowledged that the remaining 10% involved the most challenging issues preventing a final settlement.

“These are the 10% that will determine the fate of peace, the future of Ukraine and Europe, and the way people live,” he said. “Ten percent to save millions of lives. Ten percent of the resolve needed for peace to succeed fully. Ten percent of the unity and wisdom urgently required — Ukrainian, American, European, and global. Ten percent for peace.”

Zelenskyy reflected on a turbulent year trying to maintain Trump’s goodwill, describing him as a pivotal yet unpredictable actor in the peace process. He noted that achieving a shift in the tone of US-Ukraine relations was not easy, particularly following a February meeting at the White House that brought him into conflict with Trump and Vice President JD Vance.

Trump has frequently oscillated between appearing to support Russia and Ukraine throughout the negotiations, and at times has faced criticism for excluding Ukraine and Europe from key discussions.

“Without Ukraine, nothing will succeed. Ukraine has defended its right to be heard,” Zelenskyy said. He added: “Ukraine is effectively the only shield now protecting Europe’s comfortable way of life from the Russian sphere.”

Hours after Zelenskyy’s address, Russian forces deployed 205 drones — predominantly Iranian-made Shaheds alongside some Russian Gerbera drones — across Ukraine, according to Ukrainian military reports. Air defense systems intercepted 176 of these, yet 24 strikes were reported at 15 locations. Additionally, shelling occurred along the Russia-Ukraine contact line. At least two civilians were killed and over a dozen injured nationwide, according to local officials.

In retaliation, Ukraine targeted Russia’s Rosrezerv oil depot in the Yaroslavl region, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) reported. The SBU stated the strike aimed to “disrupt Russian petroleum supply chains with surgical precision, both abroad and for troops attacking Ukraine.”

Earlier this week, Russia alleged that Ukraine had attempted to assassinate Putin via a drone strike on his country residence — a claim Ukraine denied, and the CIA reportedly concluded was untrue, according to sources cited by NBC News.

In his New Year’s address, Putin emphasized Russia’s commitment “to bring joy and warmth” to those in need, as well as recognition of the “heroes” fighting in Ukraine. “I wish all our soldiers and commanders a happy new year! We believe in you and in our victory,” he said.