Unlike his remarks in 2022, his speech Tuesday did not mention Ukraine, omitting even his usual euphemism for the war as a “special military operation.”

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,

Dear friends, in just a few minutes 2025 will be ushered in, completing the first quarter of the 21st century,” Russian President Vladimir Putin said in the televised remarks.

Ukraine has achieved a historic first by successfully using a sea drone to destroy a Russian helicopter off the coast of occupied Crimea. The strike, which took place near Cape Tarkhankut, saw a Magura V5 naval drone equipped with missiles take down one Mi-8 helicopter and damage another.

Ukraine delivered a big blow to Putin's army as a naval drone destroys a Russian Mi-8 helicopter for the first time in a Black Sea clash. The Magura V5 drone, equipped with missiles, struck the helicopter near Crimea’s Cape Tarkhankut coast,