KYIV: In a resolute New Year’s address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky vowed to unleash formidable retaliation, stating that Russian forces would face the “wrath of domestic production” in the coming year.
This declaration follows Moscow’s recent aerial onslaught on Ukrainian cities, a devastating attack resulting in 39 casualties. Despite challenges in the ongoing conflict, Zelensky highlighted Ukraine’s strengthened capabilities, including the addition of “a million” drones and F-16 fighter jets from Western partners in 2024.
The president emphasized the resilience of Ukrainians and urged sustained global solidarity amid signs of waning support. While Ukraine faced hurdles in its 2023 counteroffensive, President Zelensky remains determined to confront the aggressors and defend the nation’s sovereignty. President Putin, in a notably subdued New Year’s Eve address, refrained from addressing the conflict in Ukraine.
