Ukraine: Zelenskyy says Russia fired 200 drones overnight

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.

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.

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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.

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.

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.

Ukrainian authorities have not yet commented on the incident.

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 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.