Intensified Attacks: Russian Missiles Pound Kyiv and Kharkiv, Leaving Devastation

Kyiv and Kharkiv, Ukraine's capital and second-largest city, experienced severe missile attacks from Russia, resulting in at least five casualties. The assault occurred a day after Vladimir Putin's declaration that Russia would escalate its offensive against Ukraine. Explosions echoed across all districts of Kyiv on Tuesday, causing substantial damage to residential buildings and civilian infrastructure.

Footage shared on social media depicted the aftermath, revealing the destruction caused by the missile strikes. Kyiv's mayor, Vitali Klitschko, reported an elderly woman's death and at least 41 injuries. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy credited western-provided defense systems, such as the Patriot missile system, for saving lives and preventing further casualties.

Despite Russia's intensified attacks, Ukrainian air defenses successfully intercepted all incoming missiles during the latest assault. Gen Valerii Zaluzhnyi, the head of the army, provided details on the effectiveness of Ukraine's defense systems, including thwarting cruise missiles.

Kharkiv, located near the Russian border, also suffered casualties, with one person killed and 41 wounded due to missile strikes on the city center. The attacks followed Putin's warning of increased strikes in response to a Ukrainian assault on the Russian border city of Belgorod.

In his recent address to Russian soldiers, Putin expressed confidence in Russia holding the "strategic initiative" in the war. He emphasized Russia's commitment to intensify strikes, vowing to punish any crimes against civilians. Putin's remarks came amid an escalation of hostilities since last Friday, with the largest single attack by Russia resulting in at least 41 civilian deaths.

International calls for support and funding for Ukraine have amplified, with US Ambassador Bridget Brink urging urgent assistance. The failure of the US Congress to approve $50 billion in security aid and uncertainties about a €50 billion EU package have raised concerns about the support Ukraine needs to withstand the conflict.

President Zelenskiy, in a defiant interview, rejected the notion that Russia was winning the nearly two-year-old war. He emphasized Europe's role in protecting itself by supporting Ukraine and highlighted the need to continue hitting Russia's strengths in Crimea. Zelenskiy expressed skepticism about Russia's willingness to negotiate, citing ongoing missile attacks as evidence of a "terrorist country." The escalating violence underscores the urgent need for international aid to address the humanitarian crisis in Ukraine.

North Korea Shifts Stance on Reunification with South Korea, Focuses on Military Expansion

In a significant announcement, North Korean leader Kim Jong Un declared that North Korea would no longer pursue reconciliation and reunification with South Korea. Instead, Kim emphasized the need to acknowledge the current state of inter-Korean relations, describing them as "a relationship between two hostile countries and two belligerents at war," according to the state-run news agency KCNA.

Kim asserted that dealing with those who consider North Korea as the "main enemy" and aim for its "regime collapse" and "unification by absorption" is a mistake. He highlighted the potential for serious action from North Korea's "nuclear war deterrent" if Washington and Seoul were to engage in military confrontation.

The Korean Peninsula has been divided since the end of the Korean War in 1953, with both sides technically at war but aspiring to reunify. Recent years have seen heightened tensions, particularly after North Korea intensified its nuclear weapons program in defiance of international sanctions.

Kim's declaration signifies a departure from inter-Korean relations, as noted by Hoo Chiew-Ping, a senior fellow at the East Asian International Relations CAUCUS. This shift marks a critical moment where future South Korean administrations extending an olive branch may face strong rejection from North Korea. Pyongyang appears more inclined to strengthen ties with existing allies like China and Russia while excluding the U.S., South Korea, and Japan from its strategic outreach.

Ja Ian Chong, an associate professor of political science, and nonresident scholar at Carnegie China, emphasized that Kim's speech reflects the reality that reunification is not a short or medium-term possibility. The question arises whether non-unification will mean maintaining the status quo or if North Korea feels the need to actively protect itself against possible aggression from South Korea.

Kim's reaffirmed ties with China, as evident in New Year's messages exchanged with Chinese leader Xi Jinping, highlight a commitment to deepen collaboration in various fields. Meanwhile, North Korea announced plans to launch three new military spy satellites in 2024, building on the success of its first satellite launch in November.

The move towards military expansion aligns with North Korea's recent tests of intercontinental ballistic missiles, including the Hwasong-18 in December. Despite some missile test failures, experts note the overall reliability of North Korea's missiles. This testing, coupled with strong rhetoric, may be contributing to increased trilateral cooperation among the U.S., Japan, and South Korea, including real-time sharing of missile tracking data. The international community continues to closely monitor North Korea's actions and their implications for regional stability.

"Putin Vows Heightened Military Strikes on Ukraine Following Deadly End to 2023"

In response to a deadly week in Ukraine, President Vladimir Putin has declared an escalation in military strikes on Ukrainian targets, with Kyiv experiencing a heavy assault early on Tuesday.

The announcement comes after a Ukrainian attack on the Russian city of Belgorod on Saturday, resulting in 25 casualties, including five children, according to local officials. This strike followed Moscow's large-scale attack on Ukrainian cities on Friday, resulting in over 40 fatalities and 160 injuries.

During a visit to a military hospital on Monday, Putin stated, "We're going to intensify the strikes. No crime against civilians will rest unpunished, that's for certain."

Despite Putin's assertion that Moscow would target "military installations," strikes on Monday hit a university and a museum. Early Tuesday witnessed Ukraine's air force reporting multiple missile strikes on Kyiv, with more than 10 loud explosions heard by AFP journalists, shaking buildings in the city center.

The city's military administration reported fragments of downed rockets falling in several districts, including on residential buildings. Mayor Vitali Klitschko mentioned power outages in several areas of the capital.

On New Year's Day, Kyiv claimed Russia targeted the country with a "record" number of drones, launching 90 Iranian-made Shahed drones, of which 87 were reportedly destroyed. Russian shelling on New Year's Day allegedly resulted in one fatality in the southern Odesa region and another in Kherson.

As violence escalated, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy refuted the notion that Russia was winning the nearly two-year-old war, describing it as only a "feeling." Zelenskiy highlighted Moscow's heavy battlefield losses, specifically mentioning the besieged eastern town of Avdiivka, where he claimed thousands of Russian soldiers were killed.

Zelenskiy acknowledged that progress in 2023 may not have met global expectations but pointed to Ukrainian forces breaking through a Russian Black Sea blockade as a significant achievement, enabling grain exports along a new southern route.

Facing obstacles in garnering additional support from the United States and the European Union, Zelenskiy emphasized the need to persuade global leaders that defending Ukraine was tantamount to defending the world. He rejected any notion of Moscow's interest in peace talks, characterizing Russia's actions as those of a "terrorist country."

Responding to Putin's comments on Monday about the strategic initiative favoring Russia, Zelenskiy emphasized the Ukrainian perspective, citing the failure of the Ukrainian counteroffensive in the summer. He acknowledged Moscow's desire to end the conflict but insisted it should be done "only on our terms."

Israel-Gaza Conflict Continues : IDF Prepares for Prolonged Fighting

Israel Defence Forces spokesperson Rear Adm Daniel Hagari has stated that the ongoing conflict between Israel and Gaza may extend throughout 2024. In a New Year's Eve press briefing, Hagari outlined the strategic preparations being made by the IDF to manage forces, address reserve considerations, assess economic impacts, refresh troops, and sustain combat training processes.

Hagari further mentioned that certain reservists, initially called for duty in the Gaza conflict, will return to their families and jobs in the coming week. These adjustments are part of the IDF's comprehensive planning to ensure readiness for the continued challenges and warfare anticipated throughout the year.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had previously asserted that the conflict would persist for "many more months," with Israel aiming to assume control of the Gaza side of the border with Egypt.

In related developments, tens of thousands of people participated in a protest in Istanbul against Israel's actions in Gaza and the killing of Turkish soldiers by outlawed Kurdish militants in Iraq. The demonstration, organized by a foundation that includes Bilal Erdogan, the son of Turkey's President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, involved protesters waving Turkish and Palestinian flags and expressing solidarity with the Palestinian people.

Meanwhile, at the Vatican, Pope Francis acknowledged 2023 as a year marked by wartime suffering. During his traditional Sunday blessing, he offered prayers for the tormented Ukrainian people, as well as the Palestinian and Israeli populations, the Sudanese people, and others affected by armed conflicts.

Additionally, there are reports that Britain is considering airstrikes on Houthi rebels following a US naval operation that sank three boats targeting a container ship in the Red Sea. Grant Shapps, the UK's defense secretary, emphasized the government's commitment to taking direct action to deter threats to freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. Shapps stated that the UK, along with the US, is preparing a joint statement to issue a final warning to the Houthi group, emphasizing the determination to hold malign actors accountable for unlawful seizures and attacks.

"Ukraine Grows Stronger": Zelenskiy Vows Wrath Against Russia in New Year's Address

In his New Year's address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declared his resolve to unleash "wrath" against Russian forces in 2024, emphasizing that Ukraine has grown stronger as the conflict approaches its second year. The slick 20-minute video message, delivered from his Kyiv office, outlined the resilience of Ukrainians in the face of Russian attacks and hardships.

Despite the ongoing conflict, Zelenskiy's address made minimal direct reference to the frontline situation or the limited success of the counteroffensive launched in June. Diplomatic and political challenges in securing military aid from the US Congress and the European Union were also left unmentioned.

Zelenskiy acknowledged the lessons learned by Ukrainians in withstanding Russian attacks and adapting to adversities such as blackouts, operational challenges in industries, and threats to export shipping. The president highlighted Ukraine's strength, stating, "The major result of the year, its main achievement: Ukraine has become stronger. Ukrainians have become stronger."

Amid Zelenskiy's message of strength, further attacks unfolded, with Ukraine's air force reporting a new overnight air assault by Russia on Mykolaiv, Odesa, and Dnipro regions. Local authorities reported casualties in Odesa, adding to the toll of a recent aerial attack that claimed 39 lives.

Zelenskiy pointed to successes in containing and attacking Russia's navy in the Black Sea, emphasizing Ukrainian achievements against Russian vessels. He pledged that Ukraine would see F-16s in the skies in the coming year, reinforcing promises to enhance domestic weapons production and manufacture at least one million drones.

As Ukraine enters its third calendar year of conflict, Zelenskiy urged Western allies to maintain support, emphasizing Ukrainian strength against any attempts to diminish global solidarity. Despite receiving billions of dollars in western weapons, Ukraine faced challenges in making significant breakthroughs in its 2023 counteroffensive against Russian forces.

In contrast, Russian President Vladimir Putin's New Year's Eve address lacked explicit mention of Ukraine or the term "special military operation," used to describe the war. The scaled-back address did not touch on the estimated casualties among Russian soldiers or the conflict's spillover onto home territory, exemplified by a recent Ukrainian attack near the border. Notably absent was any reference to the June armed mutiny by the late Yevgeny Prigozhin, leader of the Wagner mercenary group.