Key Updates from Day 1,405 of the Russia-Ukraine War

As the conflict in Ukraine continues, significant developments have emerged, especially surrounding an alleged attack on President Vladimir Putin’s residence. This article summarizes the latest events, shedding light on diplomatic exchanges and ongoing military actions.

Alleged Attack on Putin’s Residence

On December 30, Kremlin aide Yury Ushakov reported that an attack occurred at President Putin’s residence in northwestern Russia’s Novgorod. This event coincided with conversations between US President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelenskyy in Florida. Ushakov mentioned that the strike “will not go unanswered,” following discussions between Trump and Putin.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that Russia’s air defense systems intercepted 91 long-range strike drones tied to the incident, confirming that there were no casualties reported. In contrast, President Zelenskyy refuted this claim, suggesting Russia is attempting to sabotage peace talks.

Trump expressed frustration over the alleged assault, mentioning, “I was very angry about it.” He also indicated that the US would investigate the validity of the claims. Meanwhile, Maria Zakharova from the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs emphasized that the response from Russia would not be diplomatic, hinting at a potential shift in their stance on negotiations.

The United Arab Emirates’ Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attack, highlighting the security risks it posed.

Diplomatic Efforts

White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt characterized the phone conversation between Putin and Trump as “positive,” though she did not provide further details. President Zelenskyy also communicated with leaders from Germany, Latvia, and Finland to inform them about his discussions with Trump and the current status of peace talks.

In an interview, Lavrov urged Kyiv and its Western supporters to acknowledge the “new territorial realities,” referencing Russia’s claims over several regions of Ukraine, including Crimea and parts of Donetsk and Luhansk. Despite this assertion, a survey by the Ilko Kucheriv Democratic Initiatives Foundation revealed that 76% of Ukrainians deemed the recognition of these territories as part of Russia “unacceptable.”

Ongoing Fighting

On the ground, Russian forces targeted the frontline town of Orikhiv in the Zaporizhia region, leading to the death of a 46-year-old man and injuring a 49-year-old woman, as reported by Governor Ivan Fedorov via Telegram. Additionally, the Donetsk region experienced fatalities and injuries due to Russian assaults, with one death and five injuries reported on Sunday.

Ukrainian human rights commissioner Dmytro Lubinets provided information on Telegram regarding Russian forces who killed seven civilians seeking refuge in a basement in Pokrovsk. The prosecutor general’s office in Ukraine has initiated an investigation into claims that Russian soldiers executed two captured Ukrainian servicemen in the village of Shakhove, labeling the act a severe violation of international law.

In response to the conflict, reports indicated that Ukrainian attacks resulted in injuries to civilians in both Russia’s Belgorod region and Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine, specifically Zaporizhia and Donetsk.

During a televised address, President Putin made a series of statements regarding the ongoing conflict, claiming advancements by Russian troops toward Zaporizhzhia. General Valery Gerasimov stated that Russian forces had seized approximately 6,460 square kilometers (2,494 square miles) of territory in 2025, including numerous villages.

Lastly, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) reported successful restoration of power lines near Ukraine’s Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, as shared by its director general, Rafael Grossi.

Conclusion

The conflict in Ukraine remains dynamic, with ongoing hostilities and fervent diplomatic exchanges marking day 1,405. While military actions persist, efforts for peace continue to unfold amid a backdrop of rising tensions and international responses.

• An alleged attack on Putin’s residence raises tensions in the ongoing war.
• Diplomatic communications between Trump and Zelenskyy reveal attempts to navigate the crisis.
• Russian military actions and retaliatory attacks contribute to civilian casualties.
• Discussions on occupied territories persist, highlighting the complexities of peace negotiations.