In a determined New Year’s address on Sunday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky pledged to unleash formidable “wrath” against Russian forces throughout 2024. Undeterred by attempts to “undermine” support for Kyiv, Zelensky declared this commitment just days after a Moscow aerial assault on Ukrainian cities resulted in 39 casualties, marking one of the largest attacks since Russia invaded Ukraine.
Zelensky’s televised address included a promise to substantially increase Ukraine’s military capabilities in the coming year. He emphasized a boost in domestic production, stating, “Next year, the enemy will feel the wrath of domestic production.” The address featured clips of Ukrainian artillery and fighter jets.
The Ukrainian President outlined plans to strengthen the nation’s arsenal with at least “a million” additional drones and F-16 fighter jets provided by Western allies. Zelensky highlighted the ongoing training of Ukrainian pilots on F-16 jets, expressing confidence that these aircraft would be visible in the country’s skies.
As the Ukraine war enters its third calendar year, which began on February 24, 2022, with Putin announcing a “special military operation” into Ukraine, Zelensky urged Western allies to maintain steadfast support. Despite mounting signs of war fatigue, he emphasized Ukraine’s resilience and strength as a major achievement of the year.
Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin’s New Year’s Eve address was notably scaled back compared to the previous year and did not mention the conflict in Ukraine. Zelensky’s resolute commitment underscores the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine and the need for continued international support.
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