KYIV, UKRAINE – In a daring show of force, Russia launched an unprecedented 90 drones into Ukrainian airspace in the early hours of New Year’s Day. In response, Ukraine claims to have shot down 87 of the drones, dealing a significant blow to the Russian offensive. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to retaliate, promising that Russia will soon face the full force of Ukraine’s wrath.
The Ukrainian military announced that they successfully destroyed a record number of Iranian-made Shahed kamikaze drones, with 87 out of 90 drones downed. Tragically, in Odesa, one person lost their life and nine others were wounded after a Russian drone strike ignited a fire in a high-rise building.
Zelensky, in a televised New Year’s address, declared that Ukraine will not back down, revealing plans to add at least “a million” additional drones to its arsenal next year. Additionally, Ukraine’s Western partners will deliver F-16 fighter jets to bolster Ukraine’s defenses.
The conflict also resulted in damage to national landmarks, such as the Roman Shukhevych Memorial Museum and university dormitories in various regions of Ukraine. Russia’s barrage of missile attacks triggered explosions and fires in several Ukrainian cities, leaving a wake of destruction in their path.
Despite the billions of dollars worth of Western weapons at Ukraine’s disposal, the country has struggled to make a major breakthrough in its counteroffensive against the invading Russian forces. As a result, Ukraine is urging Western allies to maintain their military support, with Britain pledging to send hundreds more air-defense missiles to Kyiv.
In the face of continued aggression, Ukraine has declared a day of mourning for the victims of the conflict. As tensions escalate, President Zelensky remains resolute in his determination to defend Ukraine’s sovereignty and uphold justice in the face of Russian aggression.