According to the Ukrainian military, Russia launched more than 20 missiles at Ukraine on Saturday, with 2023 on the horizon.
These are the most recent developments.
Explosions in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv on Saturday killed at least one person and injured at least 20, according to Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Due to emergency shutdowns, approximately 30% of the city has been left without power.
Missile strikes were also launched against the Ukrainian cities of Khmelnytskyi, Mykolaiv, and Zhytomyr.
According to Ukraine’s military, 12 cruise missiles were shot down by Ukrainian air defense systems after Russian forces launched more than 20 from land and sea on Saturday.
In his nightly address Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky switched from speaking Ukrainian to Russian, sending a message to Russia and its citizens.
According to Zelensky, Russia is fighting to keep Russian President Vladimir Putin in power “until the end of his life.”
“He hides behind you, destroying your country and your future. “No one will ever forgive you for committing terrorism,” Zelensky said.
Residents of Kyiv are optimistic: Despite the fact that many were forced to seek shelter after Saturday’s explosions, people in Kyiv told CNN that they will celebrate the new year and hope for a more peaceful future.
“We expect victory and calm skies beginning in 2023,” said Natalia Vaganova, a resident of the Kyiv region.
On Saturday, both Ukraine and Russia reported an exchange of prisoners of war. Andriy Yermak, the head of Ukraine’s President’s Office, announced the release of 140 prisoners of war, including those from Mariupol and Snake Island. The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement that 82 servicemen had also been returned.