On New Year’s Eve, Ukrainian forces launched one of the largest drone attacks on the territory of the Russian Federation and on temporarily occupied Ukrainian regions. Between December 31, 2025, and January 1, 2026, several strategic sites were hit, including the Ilsky oil refinery, a substation in Molochansk, the Tuapse oil refinery, an oil terminal in Kuban, facilities in the Yaroslavl and Kaluga regions, and areas in temporarily occupied Luhansk region.
Following these attacks, several settlements in Moscow region experienced blackouts, forcing Russian services to deploy mobile generators.
At the same time, Russian media and officials claimed there was an attempted attack on Vladimir Putin’s residence in Novgorod region. However, investigations by The Wall Street Journal and assessments by the US National Security Agency and CIA confirmed that Ukraine did not conduct such an attack. US officials underlined the lack of credible evidence from Russia, emphasizing the propagandistic nature of such claims aimed at undermining the negotiation process.
Journalists also noted the absence of any substantiated proof from the Kremlin, and analysis showed that Russian authorities used this narrative to justify further hostilities and to harden their position toward the US.
On the frontline in Ukraine, the situation remains tense: Russian troops are sustaining heavy losses, while Ukrainian defenders continue to hold out with support including FPV drones and equipment. The international community is witnessing signs of destabilization within Russia itself, with experts predicting potential major changes in the coming years.
The author concluded by stressing the need for internal military reform in Ukraine and called for continued support for Ukrainian forces in pursuit of victory.
