Ukraine: Zelenskyy says Russia fired 200 drones overnight
Published January 1, 2026last updated January 1, 2026
What you need to know
- Ukraine says it staged death of anti-Kremlin Russian fighter
- Russia says Ukrainian drone strike kills at least 24 people in occupied Kherson region
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy presses allies for air defenses after New Year's strikes on Ukraine
This blog is now closed. Below is an overview of developments in Russia's war in Ukraine on January 1, 2026:
Ukraine says it staged death of anti-Kremlin Russian fighter
Ukraine's military intelligence service, the HUR, said it staged the death of a Russian militia leader as part of a covert operation to thwart an assassination plot.
On Thursday, Kyrylo Budanov, the head of the HUR, appeared in a video alongside Denis Kapustin, the leader of the Russian Volunteer Corps. This unit fights alongside Ukrainian forces against Russia's invasion.
On December 27, the corps announced that its commander had been killed in a Russian drone strike in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhia region.
The HUR stated that the initial report of Kapustin's death was part of a complex operation that allowed Ukrainian intelligence to identify individuals within Russia's security services who were allegedly plotting to assassinate him.
Survey found hundreds of German companies want to keep operating in Russia
Hundreds of German companies plan to stay in Russia, despite tougher Western sanctions over the war in Ukraine, according to the Moscow-based German-Russian Chamber of Commerce.
A survey of about 260 entrepreneurs on the business climate in Russia shows that only 4% intend to leave the market.
"Anyone who is still here in Russia after four years of bloodshed and sanctions wants to hold out," Chairperson Matthias Schepp told the German dpa news agency in Moscow.
The chamber estimates German assets in Russia to be worth more than €100 billion ($117.5 billion). Around 2,000 German companies remain active in Russia.
Nearly half believe sanctions hurt Germany more than Russia, warning that politicians may underestimate Moscow's resilience.
IN PICTURES: Airstrike hits Kharkiv EcoPark
Ukraine thanks Germany after deploying two new Patriot systems
Ukraine has received two additional Patriot air defense systems from Germany to counter Russian missile attacks.
Defense Minister Denys Shmyhal said the systems are already deployed to protect cities and critical infrastructure.
Germany has now supplied three complete Patriot systems and components for two more.
The US-made Patriots are considered Ukraine's most effective shield against ballistic and cruise missiles.
The Patriot system covers an area of around 68 kilometers (42 miles) in diameter, according to the German military. Its radar can track up to 50 targets and engage five of them at once.
Depending on the version in use, the interceptor missiles can reach an altitude of more than 24 kilometers (14 miles) and hit targets up to 160 kilometers (100 miles) away.
Ukraine has also received a number of Patriot systems from other Western allies.
CIA dismisses Russian claims of Ukrainian strike on Putin's house
The Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has concluded that Ukraine did not target Russian President Vladimir Putin or his residence in a recent drone strike.
That’s according to reports in US media, including the Wall Street Journal, PBS, and CNN, citing unnamed officials.
Moscow had accused Kyiv of attempting to hit Putin's home earlier this week, a claim Ukraine strongly denied.
Russia later presented what it said were drone fragments as evidence, but experts remain skeptical.
The CIA analysis suggests the drone was aimed at a military target in the same region, but not near Putin's estate.
President Donald Trump had initially criticized Ukraine after speaking with Putin, but was later briefed on the findings, according to the media reports.
Russia says Ukrainian drone strike killed at least 24 people
Russian officials say a Ukrainian drone strike killed at least 24 people and injured scores more during New Year celebrations in a Russian-occupied village in Ukraine's Kherson region.
Three drones struck a cafe and hotel in the resort town of Khorly on the Black Sea coast, the region's Moscow-installed leader, Vladimir Saldo, said on Telegram.
He added one drone reportedly carried an incendiary mixture, sparking a fire.
Saldo posted images showing a gutted building, smoldering rubble, and charred bodies.
Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of carrying out a "terrorist attack" on civilians.
Kherson is one of four regions in Ukraine which Russia illegally claimed as its own in 2022.
Meanwhile, a Ukrainian military spokesperson told Interfax Ukraine news agency that Kyiv's forces exclusively target Russian military or energy sites when asked about a drone strike on a hotel in a Russian-held part of the Kherson region.
Zelenskyy urges allies for air defenses after NYE strikes
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Russia is carrying its nearly four-year war into the New Year, launching more than 200 drones overnight.
The strikes mainly targeted energy infrastructure, according to the Ukrainian leader.
"Most of them were successfully shot down, and I thank all our warriors who repelled this attack," he said.
He urged Ukraine's allies to deliver promised air defense systems as soon as possible.
"The killings must be stopped — there can be no pauses in protecting human life. If the strikes do not stop even during the New Year holidays, then air defense deliveries cannot be delayed," Zelenskyy wrote on social media.
Welcome to our coverage
Welcome to DW's coverage of Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, which will have been ongoing for four years by the end of February 2026.
Russia launched more than 200 drones at Ukraine on New Year's Eve night. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged his allies to deliver the promised air defense systems as soon as possible.
Stay tuned for news and analysis.