New year sees Moscow and Kyiv intensify attacks

Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed in his new year's address to unleash "wrath" against Russian forces in 2024, saying Ukraine had become stronger as the war moves toward its second year.

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But Zelenskiy's video message made almost no direct reference to the situation on the 1,000km frontline or the limited success of a counteroffensive launched in June. Nor did he refer to the difficulties in securing military and other aid from the US Congress and the European Union.

The US last month announced a $250m military aid package, the last remaining tranche of weapons available for Ukraine under existing authorisation. Congress now needs to decide whether to keep supporting Kyiv's battle against Russian invasion.