Putin Vows Russia Will Never Back Down in Brief New Year's Speech Praising Troops
- Putin said in annual New Year's Eve speech that Russia will "never back down"
- Speech lasted just under 4 minutes, much shorter than previous years
- Putin stressed national unity and did not mention Ukraine specifically
- Praised Russian soldiers fighting on the front lines as "heroes"
- Many New Year's festivities in Russia subdued due to war, including cancellation of fireworks in Moscow