Russian President Vladimir Putin used his traditional New Year's Eve address to project an image of national unity and reaffirm his confidence in Russia's eventual victory in Ukraine, as the conflict approaches its fourth year.
Speaking from the Kremlin in a broadcast that first aired in the far-eastern Kamchatka peninsula, Putin addressed Russian troops directly, declaring "We believe in you and our victory." The three-minute speech praised soldiers and commanders while pledging continued support for what Moscow calls its "special military operation."
"You have taken on the responsibility to fight for your native land, for truth and justice," Putin told troops on the front lines. "Millions of people across Russia, I assure you, are with you on this New Year's night."
The address came as Russia's top general announced that forces were pressing forward in the Sumy and Kharkiv regions of northeastern Ukraine. Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov stated that Putin had ordered an expansion of the so-called buffer zone near the Russian border in 2026.
In a separate message, former President Dmitry Medvedev, now serving as Putin's security council deputy, expressed confidence that victory was near. The statements reflect the Kremlin's continued narrative of inevitable success despite mounting casualties on both sides.
December 31 also marked the 26th anniversary of Putin's rise to power, following Boris Yeltsin's surprise resignation in 1999. On February 24, the Ukraine conflict will enter its fourth year, making it one of the longest European conflicts since World War II.
The speech caps a year of steady Russian territorial advances on the battlefield, even as a US-led diplomatic push continues to seek an end to the fighting. Peace negotiations remain stalled, with both sides maintaining their core demands.
Comments