According to Ukrainska Pravda, Ukraine** has declared January 1, 2024, a national day of mourning in memory of the Ukrainians who lost their lives in the air strikes on December 29, 2023. The airstrike, which was said to be the "largest airstrike since the outbreak of war" launched by Russian forces, caused great pain to Ukraine. According to reports, the Russian army fired ** missiles and suicide drones into Ukraine on the same day, with a total value of about 12$700 million. This huge amount of money is enough to build about 20 fully equipped hospitals, or to build 120 schools, or even to build another Tavria highway. On the day of the airstrike, Ukrainian forces counterattacked, firing more than 70 suicide drones at multiple military facilities inside Russia and shelling the Russian border city of Belgorod.
Russia's claim that Ukrainian forces deliberately attacked civilians rather than military installations is similar to Ukraine's claim. UN Secretary-General António Guterres' spokesman, Stephen Dujarric, issued a statement saying that "attacks against civilians and civilian infrastructure are contrary to international humanitarian law, are unacceptable, and must stop immediately." Although no relevant countries have expressed their condolences and support for Russia's "unfortunate experience", Western countries have given Ukraine as much condolences and support as possible. Ukraine** Zelensky said: "Many leaders have already declared their support for Ukraine and Ukrainians, and I thank you all. We will continue to strengthen our air defenses and try to bring the war back to Russia, the homeland of the aggressor. "Despite the imminent arrival of a new year, Ukraine's war against aggression will continue.
A poll published by the Kyiv Post shows that the Ukrainian people are determined to continue to resist aggression. This war is a challenge not only for Ukraine ** and the army, but also for the entire Ukrainian people. In this challenge, the Ukrainian people need more support and attention to defend their country and homeland steadfastly. According to a survey, more than half of the Ukrainian population still shows trust in Ukraine**, especially in the Ukrainian army, which is as high as 94%. However, Forbes notes that it is expected that by 2024, the Ukrainian army may shift to a defensive strategy and continue to defend itself against the offensive of the Russian army for a considerable period of time, while accumulating strength to prepare for the future. Forbes' opinion is based on a new round of military aid from the United States** to Ukraine, which includes a large number of Hesco barriers.
These barriers can be used to quickly build strong fortifications that can withstand the fierce** and withstand most direct attacks**. In places like Iraq and Afghanistan, the U.S. military has used such barriers extensively, but it seems that they have not been previously supplied to Ukraine. Ukraine**Zelensky said that in 2023 alone, the United States** will provide Ukraine with 34 military aid programs worth a total of $24 billion, including the "Patriot" air defense system, "Abrams" main battle tanks and ATACMS missiles and a large number of **. Although there is a decrease in aid compared to 2022, the level of aid has increased significantly. Zelenskyy said that "we will always be grateful for all support".
Looking ahead to the new year, U.S. and EU aid to Ukraine is expected to continue despite various headwinds, especially the $61 billion U.S. aid package and the EU's €50 billion aid package. According to the Financial Times, the G7 plans to resolve the issue of freezing Russian assets on February 24, the second anniversary of the full-scale outbreak of the conflict in Ukraine. Allegedly, Washington proposed to create a secret joint working group to resolve relevant legal issues. However, Germany, France, Italy and the European Union have expressed some reservations about this, arguing that the legality of the confiscation of Moscow's assets needs to be carefully assessed. In particular, Italy, which will assume the G7 presidency in 2024, fears that Russia** will retaliate against it to the detriment of the interests of the companies of the countries concerned. Russia has already made similar threats against this.
Still, Western countries are moving forward with the effort and have offered a variety of options, including outright confiscation and pointing to $300 billion in frozen Russian assets, seizing the proceeds of this asset or using it as collateral for loans. It has been argued that "the desire to seize Russia's sovereign assets reflects a widespread desire to show Moscow that it cannot outlast the West's determination to help Ukraine economically and militarily." ”