Russia rings in new year with mass drone strike on Ukraine, Putin says he's confident of victory

Russia launched more than 200 drones at Ukraine as new year struck, while Putin and Zelenskyy offered messages to their nations.

KYIV, Ukraine — Russia rang in the new year by launching more than 200 drones at Ukraine, while President Vladimir Putin used his year-end address to rally support for his troops and to assure his nation of victory.

In Ukraine itself, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s Dec. 31 address was defiant but also optimistic about the frenetic shuttle diplomacy being brokered by the United States.

Zelenskyy said that Russia, whose officials are also in talks with the Americans, remains the central barrier to peace, with Putin unyielding in his maximalist demands.

“I would give anything in the world if, in this address, I could say that peace will also come in just a few minutes,” Zelenskyy said just before the clock struck midnight. “Unfortunately, I cannot say that yet. But with a clear conscience, I — all of us — can say that Ukraine is truly doing everything for peace.”

The Ukrainian leader recently returned from a meeting with President Donald Trump in Florida on Sunday. Afterward, Zelenskyy said Trump had offered 15 years of the crucial “security guarantees” that he says are essential to stop Putin from attacking again. Ukraine had asked for 50 years, he said.