Russia began the new year by launching a massive drone strike against Ukraine on the night of December 31-January 1, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Using 111 Shahed drones, Russia targeted several oblasts including Poltava, Sumy, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Kirovohrad and Mykolaiv, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
Newsweek has reached out to the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation and the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine for the observation email.
Russia’s release of a major drone strike against Ukraine early in the new year is significant because it may raise tensions between the warring countries. Moscow carried out attacks during navigation and on New Year’s Eve, without avoiding the holidays. to the war as it approaches its fourth year in February.
The Ukrainian Air Force largely managed to repel Russia’s release of the Shahed drone dam and other drones on New Year’s Eve, because they shot down 63 drones and another 46 missed their targets. Ukraine used aviation, anti-aircraft missile troops, electronic warfare equipment and mobile fire groups to repel drones brought from Bryansk, Orel, Primorsko-Akhtarsk and Crimea.
The Ukrainian Air Force also said that all 46 enemy drones that had hit their target were lost on the spot, and two others were flown to Russia and Belarus. The wreckage of one of the Russian drones fell into a residential construction in kyiv on the morning of January 1, causing a chimney and the death of two people, according to the management of the kyiv city army.
The two victims of the attack of Russian drones on New Year’s day were a married couple, Neurobiologist Ihor Zyma and Biological Sciences, Olesia Sokur. and medicine at the Taras Shevchenko National University in kyiv.
Shahed drones are Iranian-made drones, also known as “kamikaze drones,” and can be equipped with thermobaric warheads. The use of Shahed drones has increased the risk of civilian casualties in Russia and Ukraine, and Iran has in the past denied allegations that it sent those drones to Moscow.
Zelensky wrote on Telegram: “Even on New Year’s Eve, Russia was only concerned about how to hurt Ukraine. One hundred and eleven strike drones against our cities. Most of them did not reach their targets thanks to our air defense systems, our mobile fire groups and electronic warfare systems. But, unfortunately, at this time, one person is known to have died. My condolences to the family and friends. There are also victims and destruction. All services are involved. And I am grateful to everyone who, regardless of the circumstances, every night and every day on duty, at work, protects Ukraine and Ukrainians. Our army, which holds back the assaults. Rescuers, who are ready to help anywhere in Ukraine. All emergency services, our medics, each and every one whose job is to save lives. Thank you!”
In a post on X, formerly known as Twitter, Tymofiy Mylovanov, the president of the Kyiv School of Economics, wrote: “Russia celebrates the New Year by hitting Kyiv just meters away from the Office of the President, the National Bank, and the Cabinet of Ministers. It is a very clear signal—surrender or we kill you.”
Michael Mackay, a Pro-Ukraine X user, wrote: “The Russian ring in the New Year with a terrorist attack against Europe. The strike UAV are in the air in more than 10 regions of Ukraine. “
Russians dream of a terrorist attack against Europe in the New Year. Runway drones are in the air in more than 10 regions of Ukraine. pic. twitter. com/dwri4za65v
It remains to know that the great drone attack will cause even more victims or what will be the Ukraine reaction in the next few days.
Maya Mehrara is a journalist with Newsweek founded in London, United Kingdom, focusing on reporting foreign news. He has covered Ukraine, Russia, immigration issues and the revolution in Iran. Maya joined Newsweek in 2024 from Londoners and in the past has written for Mylondon, Camden New Journal, Bust Magazine and Washington Square News. He graduated from New York University and earned his NCTJ from News Associates. Languages: English. You can contact Maya by emailing m. mehrara@newsweek. com.