As Russia stepped into 2026, President Vladimir Putin delivered a New Year’s Eve address from Kamchatka, the nation’s easternmost region. His message was resolute: unwavering confidence in Russia’s ultimate victory in Ukraine. Putin urged citizens to “support our heroes” fighting in the conflict, which is now nearing its fourth year, stressing belief in their success. This traditional televised address, a fixture since Soviet times, was broadcast across all 11 time zones and also marked Putin’s 26th anniversary since first assuming the presidency.
Adding to the strategic discussions, Russia’s Chief of the General Staff, General Valery Gerasimov, outlined plans to continue establishing “buffer zones” in Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkiv regions. Gerasimov stated these areas are intended to safeguard Russian civilians in bordering regions from Ukrainian assaults. While Russian forces claim control of about 950 square kilometers and 32 settlements, these claims are unverified.
However, these actions have drawn sharp condemnation from Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has called Moscow’s buffer zone plans “mad” and views them as a pretext for illegal annexation, vowing strong resistance. The war continues to extract a severe human toll, with military casualties estimated in the tens or even hundreds of thousands. As the new year unfolds, the intense conflict in Ukraine shows no signs of de-escalation, with both sides remaining steadfast in their positions.
