2024 was ‘hard-won and free,’ Zelensky says in New Yr’s Eve message

President Volodymyr Zelensky on Dec. 31 mentioned 2024 was "one other step in the direction of justice, a good peace, our victory, and a life with out struggle," in a put up on social media to mark New Yr's Eve.

"Each single day of it has been gained by our warriors, by all our folks, by everybody who defends, works, strengthens, and helps," he mentioned.

"We Ukrainians know what it means to not look ahead to what tomorrow will deliver, however to combat for each single day, and yearly of freedom. And 2024 was precisely that — a yr hard-won and free," he added.

Ukraine has confronted a very robust yr on the battlefield. The whole yr noticed Ukrainian troops on the again foot, shedding territory to the advancing Russian troops in northeastern Kharkiv Oblast and jap Donetsk Oblast.

Russia captured Avdiivka — an industrial metropolis in Donetsk Oblast — in February, kickstarting Moscow's offensives all throughout the area.

Benefiting from a poorly carried out rotation of Ukrainian items, Russian troops launched a push towards Toretsk and Niu-York, cities within the mid-part of Donetsk Oblast that used to get pleasure from little engagement.

Russia continued to realize floor on the jap a part of the area over the summer time, regularly approaching Pokrovsk, Kurakhove, and Vuhledar.

Vuhledar was captured in October. Consultants say that Russia might seize Pokrovsk inside "months."

In addition to additional challenges on the battlefield, 2025 may even deliver with it U.S. President Donald Trump.

Trump’s earlier criticism of U.S. army support to Ukraine and his intent to “get out” of the struggle has sparked considerations that his strategy could contain pressuring Kyiv into concessions to attain a settlement.

Zelensky's full put up reads:

Our 2024. Each single day of it has been gained by our warriors, by all our folks, by everybody who defends, works, strengthens, and helps. Exhausting work and braveness, humanity and integrity of the whole nation crammed this yr. Together with care, improvement and love, the need to alter actuality for the higher, it doesn’t matter what. We Ukrainians know what it means to not look ahead to what tomorrow will deliver, however to combat for each single day and yearly of freedom. And 2024 was precisely that — a yr hard-won and free. One other step in the direction of justice, a good peace, our victory, and a life with out struggle. I want us all energy, unity, and inspiration within the coming yr. Pleased New Yr of life and freedom—Pleased Our Yr!

Ukraine war latest: In world first, Ukrainian sea drone downs Russian helicopterKey developments on Dec. 31: * Ukrainian sea drone downs Russian helicopter with anti-air missile in first strike of its kind * Russian attacks damage homes and infrastructure in Kyiv and Sumy oblasts ahead of New Year * Ukraine strikes oil depot in Russia’s Smolensk Oblast, General Staff confir…The Kyiv IndependentThe Kyiv Independent news desk