Russia, Ukraine exchange New Year accusations over airstrikes

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – At the start of the New Year, Russia and Ukraine Monday accused each other of air attacks, resulting in multiple casualties.

“As of 02:00 (2300GMT), there were preliminary 13 wounded and four dead,” Denis Pushilin, the Russian-installed head of the Donetsk region, said on Telegram.

In an earlier statement, Pushilin said that Ukrainian forces hit the center of Donetsk, which is under Russia’s control, as well as the city’s Kalininskyi and Budonivskyi districts with multiple launch rocket systems.

Elsewhere, Odesa Governor Oleh Kiper announced that at least one person was killed and three others were injured following Russian drone strikes in the region.

“Operational assistance is provided on the ground, and all relevant services are working,” Kiper said.

Meanwhile, Lviv Governor Maksym Kozytskyi said that debris from a fallen Russian drone landed on a local museum, resulting in a fire.

Separately, Mykola Oleshchuk, the commander of the Ukrainian Air Force, claimed that the country’s air defenses downed 87 Russian drones overnight.

Russian officials have not yet commented on the claim.