The Russian invasion of Ukraine is on its 312th day. At night, alarm sirens sounded in Kiev and other Ukrainian cities, and the Reuters agency reported explosions in and around Kiev. Earlier, President Volodymyr Zelensky delivered a New Year’s address to the nation. Here is a summary of the most important events from Ukraine.
> On Saturday, the last day of 2022, Russian troops attacked Kyiv, Kramatorsk, Zaporizhia, Mykolaiv and Khmelnitsky with missiles. The sounds of explosions were also heard in Kherson. General Valery Zaluzhny, the commander-in-chief of the Ukrainian army, informed on Telegram that 12 out of more than 20 missiles were disabled by the air defense forces. The most, six and five respectively, were shot down over the Kiev and Zhytomyr oblasts. Earlier, around 12 noon Polish time throughout the territory Ukraine an air raid alert was issued, which was canceled after 3 p.m.
Smoke over Kiev REUTERS
> The head of the Mykolaiv region in southern Ukraine, Vitaly Kim, said late on Saturday that two groups of Russian drones had been spotted moving towards the cities of Dnieper, Melitopol and Mykolaiv, The Kyiv Independent reported. Air defenses opened fire on Shahed drones, Kim said.
Destruction in Kiev after a Russian missile hit PAP/EPA/OLEG PETRASYUK
> Just after midnight on New Year’s Day, explosions were heard again in Kiev and an anti-aircraft alarm was activated throughout the country, Reuters reported. Against the background of anti-aircraft sirens in the capital, shouts were heard from the balconies: “Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!” the agency reports.
> President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky shortly before midnight on Saturday, he said New Year’s messagethat his only wish for all Ukrainians for 2023 is victory.
Main photo source: PAP/EPA/OLEG PETRASYUK