Vladimir Putin Vows To Press On In Ukraine War In New Year Address

Russian President Vladimir Putin used his New Year’s address to underline Moscow’s determination to continue its military campaign in Ukraine, telling troops that Russia remains confident of eventual success.

Broadcasters first aired the brief message from the Kamchatka peninsula, Russia’s easternmost region, to welcome the New Year, before carrying it nationwide.

Addressing what he called Russia’s ‘fighters and commanders’, Putin praised soldiers deployed on the front lines as heroes and assured them of the country’s support.

“We believe in you and in our victory,” he said, striking a defiant tone as the conflict approaches its fourth year.

The war has taken a severe toll on both sides. The fighting has reportedly caused military casualties running into the tens of thousands, possibly more, and forced millions of Ukrainians to flee their homes. Despite the scale of the human cost, there are still no clear signs of an imminent end to hostilities.

Putin devoted most of his remarks to the war effort, avoiding any reference to recent allegations that Ukraine attempted a drone attack on a residence linked to him, claims that Kyiv has firmly denied.

December 31 also marked 26 years since Putin first assumed power in Russia, adding symbolic weight to the timing of the address.

Even as Russia projected resolve, diplomatic activity intensified elsewhere.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to attend a meeting with allied leaders in France on January 6, following recent discussions with US President Donald Trump in Florida.

EU Pushback on Russian Claims

The European Union has accused Moscow of trying to undermine peace efforts, after Russia alleged that Ukrainian drones targeted Putin’s lakeside residence in the Novgorod region.

Ukrainian authorities dismissed the accusation as a fabrication. Russia’s Defence Ministry released video footage of a downed drone, though it did not provide independent verification of the location or timing.

EU Foreign Policy Chief Kaja Kallas described the claims as a deliberate distraction from ongoing diplomatic efforts.