Russian forces are advancing in the east, slowly but surely, and they are shrinking Ukraine’s partial hold of the border region of Kursk

With soaring inflation and the ruble dropping to one of its lowest levels against the dollar since President Vladimir Putin launched his war in Ukraine, this year Russians will have to pay more for the dish, which is traditionally served alongside caviar and tangerines, before the New Year is toasted in.

In his New Year's address, Russian President Vladimir Putin issued a bold challenge to Ukraine and the West, declaring that Russia will not halt its military actions. He praised the Russian soldiers fighting on the frontlines,

President Vladimir Putin told Russians in a New Year address that the country would move forward with confidence in 2025, though he offered no specific promises on the economy or the war in Ukraine. At a time when many ordinary people are worried about rising prices and the central bank's 21% interest rate is squeezing businesses and homebuyers,

As of the evening of December 31, 188 combat engagements were reported on the frontlines. The fiercest clashes are occurring in the Pokrovsk direction, with significant enemy activity also noted in the Lyman,