Fri Jan 02 00:40:29 UTC 2026: Summary:
Day 1,408 of the Russia-Ukraine war saw continued exchanges of attacks and accusations. Both sides claim the other targeted civilians and civilian infrastructure over the New Year period. Ukraine focused on Russian military and energy sites, while Russia claims to have downed 29 Ukrainian drones near Moscow. Ukraine struck targets in Russian regions. Russia presented alleged drone evidence linking Ukraine to an attack on Putin’s residence, a claim Ukraine denies and US intelligence sources cast doubt upon. Peace talks continue, with a Ukrainian negotiator meeting with Turkish officials to discuss the process and humanitarian issues. Zelenskyy reiterated his desire for peace but emphasized the need for a strong agreement.
News Article:
Ukraine and Russia Trade Accusations and Attacks Over New Year
Kyiv, Ukraine – As the conflict in Ukraine enters its 1,408th day, both Ukrainian and Russian forces traded accusations of targeting civilian areas and critical infrastructure over the New Year holiday.
Kyiv reported a large-scale attack on its power supplies, while Moscow claimed a Ukrainian strike on a hotel in Russian-occupied territory resulted in casualties. A Ukrainian military spokesperson stated its forces exclusively targeted Russian military and energy sites.
Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin announced that Russian air defenses downed 29 Ukrainian drones headed for Moscow in a 20-hour period, imposing restrictions on two Moscow airports on New Year’s Day. He did not mention any casualties or damage.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian drones reportedly struck energy and industrial targets in multiple Russian regions, with the Ukrainian military confirming responsibility for two of the three attacks.
Adding to the tensions, a senior Russian military official presented what he alleged was evidence of a Ukrainian drone attack targeting a residence of President Vladimir Putin. Ukraine has denied the claim, and US intelligence sources have reportedly cast doubt on Russia’s accusations.
On the diplomatic front, Ukraine’s top negotiator in US-brokered peace talks, Rustem Umerov, met with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan in Ankara to discuss the negotiation process, humanitarian issues, and the return of Ukrainian prisoners.
In his New Year’s address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reiterated his desire for an end to the war but stressed the importance of a strong peace agreement, rejecting any “weak” settlement that would only prolong the conflict.
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