Posted 12/31/2023, 1:58:52 PM
Putin Urges Unity and Perseverance in New Year's Address, Omits Mention of War
- Putin calls for unity and perseverance among Russians in his New Year's address, without explicitly mentioning the war in Ukraine
- Speech was pre-recorded and first aired in Russia's Far East before being broadcast across time zones
- Second New Year's Eve of the war against Ukraine ordered by Putin
- More than 20 Russian civilians killed in attack on Belgorod near Ukraine border the day before, which Putin does not address
- Putin thanks soldiers fighting on the front lines, saying they stand for "truth and justice"