Putin’s NYE speech voices confidence in Ukraine victory

Russian President Vladimir Putin used his annual televised New Year’s address to rally his soldiers fighting in Ukraine, telling them he believed in victory in a war he framed as part of an existential struggle with them and the West.

US President Donald Trump is trying to end the nearly four-year conflict that has been Europe’s bloodiest disaster since World War II, and the negotiating stances of both sides remain far apart.

Putin, whose forces were slowly but steadily advancing in Ukraine, wore a black jacket and spoke of Russia’s destiny and the unity of its people, saying it guaranteed the sovereignty and security of the “Motherland”.

He especially commemorated the forces fighting in Ukraine and described them as heroes.

“I assure you that millions of people all over Russia are with you this New Year,” Putin said.

“They think about you, they empathize with you, they hope for you. I wish all our soldiers and commanders a happy new year! We believe in you and our victory!”

His speech, broadcast for the first time in Russia’s far east, came as Russia released video footage of a downed drone and presented it as evidence that Ukraine was trying to attack the presidential residence this week. Kiev rejected Russia’s claim, calling it a lie designed to derail peace talks.

In another video released Wednesday, Russia’s top general told troops to continue creating buffer zones in Ukraine’s Sumy and Kharkiv regions and said Moscow’s forces were advancing faster in December than in other months of 2025.

Reuters was unable to verify his battlefield claim.