Hello, we are now closing the live blog. Here is a summary of events.
Russia launched a bombardment on Ukrainian regions in the hours leading into New Year’s Eve, targeting Kyiv and inflicting damage on residential areas of the city of Kharkiv, Ukrainian officials said.
The Kharkiv mayor, Ihor Terekhov, said the drone attack came in several waves, hitting residential buildings in the city centre and starting fires. “All relevant emergency services are already on the site. Information about potential casualties is being clarified.”
The death toll from a Ukrainian rocket attack on the Russian city of Belgorod just north of Ukraine rose to 24 on Sunday, the governor of the Belgorod region said.Russian officials said 110 were wounded. The Guardian has not been able to independently verify Russian reports.
Ukrainian officials said that two boys aged 14 and 16 and a security adviser for a team of German journalists were among those injured in Kharkiv.
Russia’s defence ministry said it hit “decision-making centres” and military facilities in Kharkiv in response to the shelling of Belgorod.
Ukraine has denied Russia’s claims that a missile strike on a Kharkiv hotel killed Ukrainian intelligence officers and military “involved in the planning and execution of the attack on the city of Belgorod”.
A Ukrainian security source told the BBC that casualties in Belgorod were the result of “incompetent work of Russian air defence”, suggesting debris from failed Russian interceptors fell on the city. The Guardian could not independently verify the claim.
Ukraine’s military destroyed 21 out of 49 attack drones launched by Russia in its latest overnight air strike, Kyiv’s air force said on Sunday.
The Kharkiv mayor, Ihor Terekhov, said the drone attack came in several waves, hitting residential buildings in the city centre and starting fires.
Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko has said Russia is “targeting and hitting civilian buildings”, following the fresh bombardment on Ukrainian regions.
Vladimir Putin has spoken of Russia’s “united society”, hailing Russian soldiers as heroes while making only a passing reference to the war in Ukraine in his New Year address. Putin described 2024 as the “year of the family”.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Ukraine must have “sufficient potential” to achieve its goals irrespective of “political changes or moods” in other countries.
In its daily intelligence briefing, the MoD said the average daily number of Russian casualties (killed and wounded) had risen by almost 300 a day compared with 2022. “The increase in daily averages, as reported by the Ukrainian authorities, almost certainly reflects the degradation of Russia’s forces and its transition to a lower quality, high quantity mass army since the ‘partial mobilisation’ of reservists in September 2022.”
Russia has lost 359,230 combat personnel since its invasion of Ukraine last year, according to the general staff of the Ukrainian armed forces. A further 5,977 tanks and 11,070 armoured combat vehicles have been lost.
Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko has said Russia is “targeting and hitting civilian buildings”, following the fresh bombardment on Ukrainian regions.
China’s president, Xi Jinping, said on Sunday that the foundation of Chinese-Russian ties had grown stronger in 2023, as he exchanged New Year greetings with his counterpart Vladimir Putin, state media reported.
Russian courts have sentenced more than 200 Ukrainian fighters to “long” prison terms since the beginning of the conflict, Moscow’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said in an interview with the state-run RIA news agency reported.
I presented almost 700 of our warriors with state awards these days. Our Armed Forces, including Air Forces, Navy, Intelligence, combat medics, and others.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 31, 2023
They have all demonstrated their worth on the frontlines, in combat brigades, and in protecting all of Ukraine and all of… pic.twitter.com/nGmO2fH03D
Dmitry Medvedev, the deputy secretary of Russia’s security council and a former Russian president, has said his “thoughts and hearts are with those at the front”.
In video remarks posted to Telegram, he congratulated Russians on the new year, adding that 2023 had required “a special stability and unity, and true patriotism” from Russia.
Medvedev also called on Russians to “make 2024 the year of the final defeat of neo-fascism”, repeating Putin’s claims of invading Ukraine to fight “neo-Nazis.”
Updated
Here are some pictures coming to us over the wires.
More is coming through on Putin’s new year address.
In stark contrast to last year, when he gave a combative speech flanked by soldiers, Vladimir Putin described 2024 as the “year of the family” in front of the traditional backdrop of the Kremlin, Agence France-Presse reported.
In the under-four-minute address, he said Russians understood their country was passing through a significant “historical stage”, adding:
We have repeatedly proved that we are able to solve the most difficult tasks and will never back down, because there is no force that can separate us.
In his closing remarks, Putin said:
We will ensure the confident development of the Fatherland, the well-being of our citizens, and we will become even stronger.
Millions of people were expected to watch the address when it airs on TV.
Putin is facing an election in March, but with all significant opposition forces suppressed, along with any expressions of political dissent, he is certain to win.
Updated
Putin praises Russia’s 'united society' in new year address
Vladimir Putin has spoken of Russia’s “united society” while making only a passing reference to the war in Ukraine in his new year address.
The Russian president hailed his soldiers as heroes, but concentrated mostly on praising Russia’s unity and shared determination during his speech.
Putin said:
To everyone who is at a combat post, at the forefront of the fight for truth and justice: you are our heroes, our hearts are with you. We are proud of you, we admire your courage.
Ukraine was not mentioned by name, nor the “special military operation” - Putin’s term for the war he began in February 2022.
There was no mention of the hundreds of thousands of Russian soldiers estimated to have been killed or seriously wounded in the war, Reuters reported.
The armed mutiny in June by the late Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner mercenary group, was also absent.
Putin portrayed Russia and its people as united, supportive and “firm in defending national interests, our freedom and security, our values”.
He added:
Working for the common good has united society. We are united in our thoughts, in work and in battle, on weekdays and holidays, showing the most important traits of the Russian people - solidarity, mercy, fortitude.
The pre-recorded address will be broadcast just before midnight in each of Russia’s 11 time zones.
Updated
Russia carried out a wave of overnight attacks on the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv, hitting a hotel in the city centre and residential areas. Ukrainian officials said that at least 28 people were injured as six missiles struck the north-east of the city.
Russia’s defence ministry said that “decision-making centres” and military facilities were targeted in response to a Ukrainian attack on the Russian city of Belgorod, the state news agency RIA reported
Updated
China’s president, Xi Jinping, said on Sunday that the foundation of Chinese-Russian ties had grown stronger in 2023, as he exchanged New Year greetings with his counterpart Vladimir Putin, state media reported.
Beijing and Moscow are staunch allies and have strengthened their relationship even as western countries have turned their backs on Russia over its military invasion of neighbouring Ukraine.
Both sides have also made much of the personal relationship between the two leaders, and Xi has referred to Putin as his “good friend”, Agence France-Presse reported.
Xi said the “material and public opinion foundation of our relationship” had become stronger in his recap of the year to Putin on Sunday, according to state broadcaster CCTV.
He added:
In the face of changes unseen in a century and a turbulent regional and international situation, China-Russia relations have maintained healthy and stable development and moved steadily in the right direction.
Xi was quoted as saying:
Under our joint leadership, political mutual trust between the two sides has further deepened, strategic coordination has drawn closer, and mutually beneficial cooperation has continued to achieve new results.
During a visit to Beijing by the Russian prime minister, Mikhail Mishustin, this month, Xi said maintaining close ties with Moscow was a “strategic choice”.
Updated
Power lines and a non-residential building in the central Ukrainian region of Kirovohrad were damaged by a Russian attack, the region’s governor reported on Sunday.
“The Kirovohrad region is again under enemy fire,” Andriy Raikovych wrote on Telegram, adding that air defences had been engaged.
Updated
Ukraine denies Russian attack killed intelligence agents
Ukraine has denied Russia’s claims that a missile strike on a Kharkiv hotel killed Ukrainian intelligence officers and military “involved in the planning and execution of the attack on the city of Belgorod”.
Andriy Yusov, a spokesperson for the GUR military intelligence agency, said the statements from Russia were “yet another delusional fantasy from the terrorist regime waging a genocidal war against Ukraine”, Euromaidan News reported.
In comments to the Ukraine Pravda media outlet, Yusov added:
As for the latest nonsense from what is called the Ministry of Defence of the aggressor state, we can assure you that no DIU [Defence Intelligence of Ukraine] officers, nor any DIU soldiers from Ukraine’s Kraken special unit, were injured during another terrorist attack on Kharkiv yesterday [30 December].
However, the aggressor has once again attacked civilian targets, not military ones. This is a common practice of the Russian Federation and its terrorist missile strikes, which target civilian infrastructure and civilians. All other claims about the imaginary ‘blows’ to DIU are just another sick fantasy of people living in a parallel reality and waging a genocidal war against Ukraine, for which they will undoubtedly be punished.
Updated
Russia has lost 359,230 combat personnel since its invasion of Ukraine last year, according to the general staff of the Ukrainian armed forces.
A further 5,977 tanks, 11,070 armoured combat vehicles and 6,591 drones have been lost, as well as 329 military jets.
Here is the full list of losses as tweeted by the Defense of Ukraine:
"Tomorrow is the first blank page of a 365-page book. Write a good one."
— Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) December 31, 2023
Brad Paisley
The combat losses of the enemy from February 24, 2022 to December 31, 2023. pic.twitter.com/pfTrZ66VxN
Updated
Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Ukraine must have “sufficient potential” to achieve its goals irrespective of “political changes or moods” in other countries.
In a post on X, he added:
We will be fighting for our influence and for justice for Ukraine, and I am grateful to all the leaders who are assisting us, who have been with us since February 24th and will stand with us in 2024.
Whatever happens in other countries, whatever political changes or moods, we must have sufficient potential to do our thing, to achieve our goals.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 30, 2023
We will be fighting for our influence and for justice for Ukraine, and I am grateful to all the leaders who are assisting us, who… pic.twitter.com/6V2Ln3aX8i
Further reports are coming regarding Russia’s overnight bombardment of Ukraine.
On Sunday, Russia said it attacked military facilities in the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv overnight, including a hotel housing military commanders and “foreign mercenaries”, in response to Ukraine’s strikes on Belgorod the previous day.
Russia’s statement said its attack hit the former Kharkiv Palace hotel and the headquarters of the Ukrainian security service for the Kharkiv region.
It said military and intelligence officers involved in Ukraine’s attack on Belgorod had been among those killed, along with “foreign mercenaries and militants” preparing to carry out cross-border raids, Reuters reported.
There was no official comment from Kyiv in the hours after the attack on Belgorod, and the Guardian was unable to verify the Russian reports independently.
Updated
The UK’s Ministry of Defence has sent a New Year’s Eve message of support to Ukraine, accompanied by a rendition of the song Lean on Me.
In a post on X, it said:
Wishing a Happy New Year to our friends in @Defenceu.
Our support for your fight for freedom will remain unwavering in 2024.
Wishing a Happy New Year to our friends in @Defenceu.
— Ministry of Defence 🇬🇧 (@DefenceHQ) December 31, 2023
Our support for your fight for freedom will remain unwavering in 2024.
🇺🇦 #StandWithUkraine pic.twitter.com/AkG3FQKYZq
Updated
Not all blended families get through the festive period in perfect harmony. But a number of extended units whose members did not even know each other two years ago say they are looking forward to bringing in the new year together.
These blended families are composed of Ukrainians who escaped the war in their home country and Britons who have given them shelter in their homes. While not all the relationships between Ukrainian refugees and their British host families have endured, the scheme has had many successful pairings where those from both countries say they have forged friendships for life and where two families have become one.
For Liliia Konopelska, a Ukrainian who was working in the UK when the war broke out, it was an epic struggle to bring her two children, Marta, now 14, and Orest, now 12, to safety in the UK. Konopelska had been working in the UK before the war started and her visa subsequently expired, complicating her efforts to bring her children to Britain as part of the Homes For Ukraine scheme.
She had got to know her hosts Yana Valletta and Stefano Rosati and their young daughter, Lily, when she briefly worked with them. The family, who live in west London, immediately offered to help Konopelska when they learned of the difficulties she was having bringing her children to the UK.
“We have chosen each other,” said Valletta. “I consider Liliia to be my friend. As a mother, it’s hard to see another mother separated from her children because of war.”
You can read the full report here.
Updated
Footage of the shelled Kharkiv Palace hotel has been posted by the Belarusian media outlet Nexta.
This is what the Kharkiv Palace hotel in Kharkiv looks now after being shelled by the occupiers pic.twitter.com/0iCnl9smbW
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) December 31, 2023
Updated
The Ukrainian MP Lesia Vasylenko has said Russia is “targeting and hitting civilian buildings”, following the fresh bombardment on Ukrainian regions.
In an interview with BBC Radio 4’s Broadcasting House, she said colleagues had told her that:
There has been destruction of so many civilian buildings, the administration, the hotels, just the debris fron the drones and the missiles which were hitting just residential areas.
Now Russia is launching these missiles – it’s the C-300s along with the drones – not even covering up that they’re trying to hit energy infrastructure, which essentially is civilian infrastructure, but actually targeting and hitting civilian buildings.
She added Ukraine needed “guarantees” regarding the delivery of military aid packages for Ukraine.
The weapons are coming, there’s ammunition, but we need to have guarantees that these deliveries and this military assistance will be coming for as long as it takes.
New Years night is likely to be loud across #Ukraine. The previous two were. Just yesterday 6 C-300 missiles launched by #russia to kill Ukrainians
— Lesia Vasylenko (@lesiavasylenko) December 31, 2023
Hotel in #Kharkiv after nightly drone attack. More civilian buildings were destroyed too. As always by #russia pic.twitter.com/jPuCvr5Xzg
— Lesia Vasylenko (@lesiavasylenko) December 31, 2023
Updated
Here are some images coming to us over the wires.
Kharkiv. Photograph: Sergey Bobok/AFP/Getty Images
Russia’s defence ministry said it hit “decision-making centres” and military facilities in Kharkiv in response to the shelling of Belgorod, the state-run RIA news agency reports.
Ukrainian officials have given more details on Russia’s attacks overnight.
At least six missiles hit Kharkiv, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said on Sunday, injuring at least 28 people and hitting residential buildings, hotels and medical facilities.
Earlier, Ukrainian officials said that two boys aged 14 and 16 and a security adviser for a team of German journalists were among those injured in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, Reuters reported.
Closer to midnight, as part of a wider bombardment of Ukraine that also targeted Kyiv, several waves of Russian drones hit residential buildings in Kharkiv’s centre, causing fires, the city’s mayor said.
Mayor Ihor Terekhov said:
On the eve of the New Year, the Russians want to intimidate our city, but we are not scared - we are unbreakable and invincible!
Updated
Death toll from Ukrainian rocket attack on Belgorod rises to 24 - Russian official
The death toll from a Ukrainian rocket attack on the Russian city of Belgorod just north of Ukraine rose to 24 on Sunday, the governor of the Belgorod region said.
In a posting on Telegram, Vyacheslav Gladkov said there were also 108 wounded after Saturday’s attack, which he said had damaged 37 apartment buildings among other locations.
There was no official comment from Kyiv in the hours after the attack, Reuters reported.
The Guardian was not able to independently verify the Russian reports.
Ukraine’s military destroyed 21 out of 49 attack drones launched by Russia in its latest overnight air strike, Kyiv’s air force said on Sunday.
Most drones were aimed at Ukraine’s first line of defence as well as at civilian, military and infrastructure in the Kharkiv, Kherson, Mykolaiv and Zaporizhzhia regions, it added.
Russia has sentenced more than 200 Ukrainian fighters to prison terms - Lavrov
Russian courts have sentenced more than 200 Ukrainian fighters to “long” prison terms since the beginning of the conflict, Moscow’s foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, said in an interview with the state-run RIA news agency reported.
Lavrov said:
The courts of the Russian Federation have already sentenced more than 200 representatives of Ukrainian armed formations to long terms of imprisonment for committing atrocities.
Lavrov added that Russia’s main investigative organ, the Investigative Committee, has initiated 4,000 criminal cases against about 900 Ukrainian individuals, Reuters reported.
Lavrov added:
They include not only members of radical nationalist associations, representatives of Ukrainian security forces and mercenaries, but also representatives of the military and political leadership of Ukraine.
Those of them who were charged in absentia have been put on the international wanted list.
🎙 Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov's interview with RIA Novosti (December 31, 2023):
— MFA Russia 🇷🇺 (@mfa_russia) December 31, 2023
🔹#RussiaUS relations
🔹#INFTreaty
🔹#MiddleEast #IsraelPalestine
🔹#KievCrimes
🔗 https://t.co/Ekn9DCxmjw pic.twitter.com/rZlxkcNVwj
Updated
The governor of Russia’s Belgorod region, Vyacheslav Gladkov, called residents of the city of Belgorod to hide in shelters on Sunday as a missile threat alert was issued in the city, according to a post on his Telegram account.
More than 20 people were killed in Belgorod on Saturday in what Moscow said was an “indiscriminate” Ukrainian air attack on the city Reuters reported.
Good morning, this is the starting point for the Guardian’s daily live coverage of the Russian war against Ukraine. Here is a summary of the most recent developments:
Russia launched a bombardment on Ukrainian regions in the hours leading into New Year’s Eve, targeting Kyiv and inflicting damage on residential areas of the city of Kharkiv, Ukrainian officials said. Ukraine’s air defence systems in the region surrounding Kyiv were engaging Russian drones, the military administration of the region said on Telegram.
The Kharkiv mayor, Ihor Terekhov, said the drone attack came in several waves, hitting residential buildings in the city centre and starting fires. “All relevant emergency services are already on the site. Information about potential casualties is being clarified.”
Ukraine carried out a series of strikes on the Russian border city of Belgorod, the day after an 18-hour aerial barrage across Ukraine killed at least 41 civilians. Russian officials said the shelling in the centre of Belgorod on Saturday killed 21 people, including three children, and injured 110 more. Ukrainian media – citing law enforcement agencies – said the attacks only hit military targets and were retaliation for Friday’s mass bombardment of Ukrainian cities.
A Ukrainian security source, though, told the BBC that casualties in Belgorod were the result of “incompetent work of Russian air defence”, suggesting debris from failed Russian interceptors fell on the city. The Guardian could not independently verify the claim. Online observers posted videos purporting to show Russian air defence missiles falling back on to Belgorod.
The Guardian could not independently confirm the death toll. If the numbers were correct, the strike would be one of the deadliest on Russia during the war so far.
The Belgorod attack came a day after Ukraine said a barrage of Russian missile strikes on several cities killed at least 40 people, wounding dozens more.
Russia experienced a sharp rise in the number of killed and wounded troops in 2023, due to “degradation” of military quality, according to the UK’s Ministry of Defence.
In its daily intelligence briefing, the MoD said the average daily number of Russian casualties (killed and wounded) had risen by almost 300 a day compared with 2022. “The increase in daily averages, as reported by the Ukrainian authorities, almost certainly reflects the degradation of Russia’s forces and its transition to a lower quality, high quantity mass army since the ‘partial mobilisation’ of reservists in September 2022.”
Moscow would not give an explanation for a missile in Polish airspace unless provided with “hard evidence” it was Russian, said Andrei Ordash, Russia’s chargé d’affaires in Poland, after being summoned to the Polish foreign ministry. Poland’s armed forces said an unknown airborne object, which they identified as a Russian missile, entered Polish airspace from the direction of Ukraine for less than three minutes. “Until hard evidence is provided, we will not give any explanations, because these accusations are unfounded,” Ordash said.
