--- title: "Ukraine Situation Report: Missiles Descend On Kyiv In New Years Eve Barrage (Updated)" date: "2022-12-31" modified: "2022-12-31" authors: - name: "Stetson Payne" link: "https://www.twz.com/authors/stetson-payne" url: "https://www.twz.com/ukraine-situation-report-missiles-descend-on-kyiv-in-new-years-eve-barrage" categories: - "Around The Globe" - "Europe" - "News & Features" - "Russia" - "Ukraine" --- # Ukraine Situation Report: Missiles Descend On Kyiv In New Years Eve Barrage (Updated) ![Russian missile attack new years eve kyiv]() *Via Twitter Screencap* Explosions rocked Kyiv on New Year’s Eve as another wave of Russian missiles targeted the Ukrainian capital. A missile strike in central Kyiv’s Solomyansky district left at least five injured and one dead, while a hotel in the nearby Pecherskyi district partially collapsed in the attack. Ukrainian Minister of Energy Herman Galushchenko said air defense forces prevented further serious damage to [energy infrastructure](). Twelve Russian missiles were reportedly shot down, with six downed near Kyiv. https://twitter.com/ukikaski/status/1609161204303384576?s=12&t=8C5VG1aJBYyKigb_lzxn4g https://twitter.com/Liveuamap/status/1609181225750511617 https://twitter.com/Liveuamap/status/1609171666839474176 https://twitter.com/COUPSURE/status/1609177143270834176 The attacks also injured Wataru Sekita ([@watarusekita]()), a journalist for Japan’s *Asahi Shimbun*, who was reportedly hospitalized. https://twitter.com/Gerashchenko_en/status/1609178898633220098 The latest intelligence update from the British Ministry of Defense suggests Russia will follow up with yet [another wave]() of missile attacks soon after the new year. While Russia’s [campaign]() against Ukrainian energy infrastructure [this fall]() has consisted mainly of mass drone and missile attacks every [7 to 10 days](), Moscow may scrap the pattern to try and break Ukrainian morale over the holiday. https://twitter.com/DefenceHQ/status/1609077134638579714 Despite the strikes, morale in Kyiv stood firm on New Year’s Eve with celebrations before curfew. https://twitter.com/nolanwpeterson/status/1609240027002998784 Long before the [missiles]() reached Ukraine, however, citizens in the Russian city of Astrakhan on the Caspian Sea coast saw them flying overhead on their way to targets. Russian [Long-Range Aviation]() has routinely used the Caspian Sea to launch missiles against Ukraine, but atmospheric conditions have made them much more conspicuous today. https://twitter.com/UKikaski/status/1609150418277244928 https://twitter.com/clashreport/status/1609156937072926722 Not every missile made it to Ukraine, with at least one failing and crashing into houses in Russia’s Volgograd region. https://twitter.com/Liveuamap/status/1609184769480302593 https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPress/status/1609164096754032642 Before we dive into the latest news from Ukraine this New Year’s Eve, *The War Zone* readers can get caught up on our previous rolling coverage [here](). **The Latest** A day after Russian air defense activity rocked the port city of [Sevastopol]() in occupied Crimea, observers noted further missile launches from around [Dhzankoi Air Base]() closer to the border with Kherson Oblast. Air defense activity was also reported near the city of Yevpatoriya north of Sevastopol. https://twitter.com/StarskyUA/status/1609165778707677185 https://twitter.com/UKikaski/status/1609167280461737992 A large number of Ukrainian prisoners of war returned home on New Year’s Eve as part of the latest [prisoner exchange]() with Russian forces. Among the 140 POWs were wounded, those who fought in [Mariupol](), on [Snake Island](), and other locales. https://twitter.com/Archer83Able/status/1609203884441960456 We have new imagery of two Western-supplied weapon systems not previously seen in Ukrainian service, the Canadian Armored Combat Support Vehicle (ACSV). Canada pledged 39 ACSVs for Ukraine in June, the wheeled armored personnel carriers the fourth generation of General Dynamics’ venerable Light Armored Vehicle [(LAV) family](). https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1609173371429732353 On the far end of the technology spectrum, Czech fundraisers have reportedly met their goal to supply Ukraine with 15 Viktor anti-aircraft guns. These modernized ZPU-2 14.5mm dual heavy machine guns are mounted on Toyota Land Cruiser 79 chassis. https://twitter.com/Osinttechnical/status/1609024103201050624 Used as either direct fire to support infantry or as [SHORAD]() against Russian drones, the Viktor can put a lot of rounds toward the target in not a lot of time. Speaking of those Russian drones, Ukrainian troops recovered another downed [Orlan-10]() UAV. We have written about how the Orlan-10, commonly used to direct fire for Russian artillery, has been further complimented by [Iranian-supplied]() drones and [Lancet]() loitering munitions, which you can read about [here](). https://twitter.com/UAWeapons/status/1609174114492719106 At the ongoing fight for the Ukrainian town of [Bakhmut](), imagery shows Russian [Wagner Group PMC]() tanks in the area, both a video featuring a [T-72B3M]() and Russia’s most modern front-line heavy armor, a [T-90M](). https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1609140426367197189 https://twitter.com/RALee85/status/1609147702050230273 On the Ukrainian side, a new video shows one of Kyiv’s modernized [T-64BM “Bulat”]() main battle tanks having survived a top attack by Russian forces. The tank commander’s viewport appears shattered and the 12.7mm NSVT machine gun is also damaged. https://twitter.com/military_oo/status/1609241151395037186?s=12&t=qhYDs9DJdmAypa4XKtn1gg Based on the considerable scorching and damage to the top of the turret, it appears the tank’s “Nizh” explosive reactive armor did its job. ***Update, December 31, 7:30 CST:*** Air raid sirens have again sounded throughout Ukraine amid Russian drone and missile attacks that began shortly after midnight local time. Kyiv specifically has started 2023 with a near continuous sound of anti-aircraft fire and air defense interceptions. https://twitter.com/berdynskykh_k/status/1609318389906051072 https://twitter.com/JimmySecUK/status/1609330769520099328 https://twitter.com/JimmySecUK/status/1609328244880470017 That's it for now. We will update this story when there is anything major to add. *Contact the author:* [*stetson.payne@thewarzone.com*]() ### Author social links