Several Ukrainian cities including kyiv were targeted by Russian strikes this Saturday, December 31, leaving at least one dead and around thirty injured, when Vladimir Putin affirmed in his New Year wishes to have the “moral correctness” on his side.
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In kyiv, AFP journalists heard at least 11 explosions in the early afternoon as the city prepared to celebrate the New Year despite more than ten months of fierce fighting at the front since the invasion of the country by Russia launched in February.
According to the mayor of kyiv, Vitali Klitschko, these strikes left at least one dead and 20 injured. They tore open the facade of the four-star Alfavito hotel in the center, spreading rubble in the street, according to AFP.
The explosions before New Year’s Eve
Nearby sidewalks were covered in glass from blown windows, including those in the National Palace of the Arts.
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Filmmaker Yaroslav Mutenko, 23, who lives in the area, said he was showering before going to a New Year’s Eve party when he heard an explosion.
The latest Russian bombings haven’t dampened her desire to go to the party. “Our enemies, the Russians, can destroy our calm, but they cannot destroy our spirit. This year, it is important to have people close to you”he justifies himself.
Bombing of Ukrainian infrastructure
Elsewhere in Ukraine, Russian strikes caused destruction and fires in Mykolaiv in the south, where at least six people were injured, and in Khmelnytsky in the west, where four people were injured.
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According to Ukrainian Chief of Staff Valery Zalouzhny, Russian forces fired 20 cruise missiles, including from strategic bombers from the Caspian Sea, 12 of which were shot down by anti-aircraft defense.
After several military setbacks on the front, Russia has opted since October for a tactic of bombing Ukrainian infrastructure, which regularly causes massive cuts in electricity and running water.
The “moral and historical correctness” on the side of Russia
Almost at the same time as these strikes, Russian television in the Far East was broadcasting Vladimir Putin’s New Year’s speech, given the difference in time zones with Moscow.
Standing alongside soldiers who had fought in Ukraine and whom he had just decorated in an army headquarters in southern Russia, Vladimir Putin assured that the “moral and historical correctness” was “on the side” from his country.
“This is what we are fighting for today, protecting our people in our own historical territories, in the new constituent entities of Russia”he launched.
Russia claimed in September the annexation of four Ukrainian territories that it controls at least partially, on the pattern of that of the Crimean peninsula in March 2014.
Glass of champagne
The Russian president also castigated “a real war of sanctions that has been declared to us” by Westerners. “Those who launched it expected the total destruction of our industry, our finances and our transport. This does not happen “he added.
He accused the Americans and Europeans “to cynically use Ukraine and its people to weaken and divide Russia”. “The West was lying about peace and preparing for aggression. And today, he’s not ashamed to admit it, in broad daylight.”said the Russian head of state.
Vladimir Putin decorated on this occasion the commander of the Russian forces in Ukraine, Sergei Surovikin, and raised a glass of champagne with the soldiers in uniform, according to the images of public television.
A small village captured, a rare Russian gain
Shortly before Vladimir Putin’s speech, his Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu promised his soldiers a victory ” inevitable “ in Ukraine.
His ministry announced to him this Saturday the capture of the small village of Dorojnianka, in the region of Zaporijjia, in the south of Ukraine, a rare gain claimed when the positions are largely frozen with winter.
He also reported a new prisoner exchange with Ukraine, which resulted in the return of 82 Russian servicemen.
