Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky and First Lady Olena Zelenska, Kyiv, Ukraine, December 31, 2024

Tuesday’s Coverage: Kyiv’s $6 Billion Aid Package From US

Map: Institute for the Study of War

UPDATE 1917 GMT:

The Ukraine military claims it used naval drones to down two Russia Mi-8 gunship helicopters on New Year’s Eve.

The military posted videos of surface to air missiles fired by the drones, the first known successful use in combat. Russian military observers said the crews of the Mi-8s were killed, in the the worst single-day toll helicopter forces since 2022.

UPDATE 1227 GMT:

The UN reports 574 civilians were killed and 3,082 were injured in Ukraine from September to November.

More than half of the slain and one-third of the injured were over the age of 60.

The UN documented damage or destruction of 171 educational facilities and 115 medical facilities in Ukrainian-controlled territory. In contrast, Russian-occupied areas had damage to six educational and five medical facilities.

UPDATE 1208 GMT:

Russian forces gained or regained 4,168 square km (1,609 square miles), largely comprised of fields and small settlements, in eastern Ukraine and the Kursk region in western Russia in 2024, estimates the Institute for the Study of War.

Ukraine’s military commander-in-chief Oleksandr Syrskyi said the Russians suffered 427,000 casualties, a rate of 102 per square km of territory seized.

Russia overran four towns — Avdiivka, Selydove, Vuhledar, and Kurakhove, all in the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine — during the year. The largest had a pre-invasion population of just over 31,000.

Almost 57% of Russia’s gains were during September to November. In December, the advance slowed, with only 593 square km seized, while casualties remained at the same level. In the week from December 23 to 30, Russia sustained 1,700 killed and wounded per day.

UPDATE 1200 GMT:

Russia’s overnight drone attacks (see 0851 GMT) has killed two civilians and injured at least seven people, including two pregnant women, in Kyiv.

Windows in one of the National Bank of Ukraine’s buildings, located near the President’s office, were damaged.

UPDATE 1149 GMT:

Russian State energy supplier Gazprom has confirmed the halt to the flow of gas across Ukraine.

“Russian gas has not been supplied for transit via Ukraine since 8:00 a.m. [Moscow time],” Gazprom said in a statement.

Gazprom’s deal with Ukraine’s authorities ended at midnight after Kyiv said an extension would fund Russia’s 34-month invasion.

Ukraine Energy Minister German Galushchenko said of the “historic” cutoff: “Russia is losing its markets, it will suffer financial losses.”

The Moldovan region of Transnistria, occupied by Russia since 1992, lost heating and hot water at 7 a.m. Tirasteploenergo, the local energy company, urged residents to dress warmly, gather family members together in a single room, hang blankets or thick curtains over windows and balcony doors, and use electric heaters.

“It is forbidden to use gas or electric stoves to heat the apartment. This can lead to tragedy,” the company said.

Under the expired contract, Gazprom guaranteed the pumping of 40 billion cubic meters per year from 2021 to 2024. However, reduced demand from European states because of Russia’s invasion meant transit decreased to around 15 billion cubic meters.

European natural gas prices climbed above 50 euros ($51.78) per megawatt hour for the first time in over a year on Tuesday.

UPDATE 0851 GMT:

Air defenses repelled a Russian attack with 111 drones overnight.

The defenses downed 63 UAVs, while 46 decoy drones were lost from radar without causing any harm. Two drones returned to Russia and Belarus.

The UAVs were intercepted over the Poltava, Sumy, Kyiv, Chernihiv, Cherkasy, Zaporizhzhia, Zhytomyr, Khmelnytskyi, Kirovohrad, and Mykolaiv regions.

UPDATE 0840 GMT:

Ukraine’s military says it struck a oil depot in the Smolensk region in western Russia.

The military said it set fire to tanks storing oil products. It did not specify the weapon used, although it said the attack was carried out in cooperation with drone forces.

Smolensk Governor Vasily Anokhin claimed 10 Ukrainian drones were shot down but acknowledged a fuel spill and fire, saying it was caused by falling debris.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: In a New Year’s Eve address to the nation, Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has declared, “May 2025 be our year.”

Speaking from Kyiv just before the clock struck midnight, Zelensky said, “We know that peace will not be given to us as a gift but we will do everything to stop Russia and end the war.”

Today, I address all those who value Ukraine, cherish their state, and lovingly call it “Mine.” Those who cannot imagine themselves without Ukraine, no matter where they are. All those who have been fighting for it – so steadfastly and so bravely – for more than 1,000 days.

This is you – our people. Ukrainians – men and women. To all of whom I am grateful to for this year, 2024. Our people who endure all difficulties with dignity. People for whom being citizens of Ukraine is a source of pride.

For me, it is an honor to be the President of such people – Ukrainians who prove that no cruise missile can defeat a nation that has wings.

Implicitly addressing Donald Trump, who enters the White House in 19 days, Zelensky spoke of conversations with outgoing President Joe Biden, Trump, and “everyone who supports us in the United States”. He thanked the US for provision of critical military equipment, including 39 multiple-launch rocket systems, 301 Howitzer artillery weapons, and more than 300 million units of ammunition.

“I have no doubt that the new American President wants and will be able to bring peace and end Putin’s aggression,” he said.

[Trump] understands that the first is impossible without the second. Because this is not a street fight where you have to calm down both sides. This is the full-scale aggression of a mad state against a civilized one.

And I believe that we, together with the United States, are capable of exerting that force.

In an earlier message, pictured alongside First Lady Olena Zelenska, Zelensky posted:

We Ukrainians know what it means not to wait for what tomorrow will bring, but to fight for every single day and every year of freedom. And 2024 was exactly that — a year hard-won and free. Another step towards justice, a fair peace, our victory, and a life without war.