JAKARTA - The 2023 New Year's atmosphere in the center of Moscow, Russia is different from before. Without ice hockey matches and winter markets in Red Square, and without the excitement of fireworks. The decomposition of light does decorate various areas, but only as a symbol of the turn of the year.
Authorities deliberately closed a number of areas that are usually the center of crowds on the grounds of restrictions against COVID-19 and increased the number of police on nearby small roads.
"We consider it necessary to refrain from holding fireworks and big concerts this year," Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said as quoted byFrance24.
The Russian people also prefer this New Year's Eve celebration with simplicity. According to them, this is a form of solidarity.
Don't pretend nothing happened. Our people are dying there. Holidays are celebrated, but there must be limits," said Yelena Popova, 68, who believes there will be significant changes in 2023.
Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a new year's speech with the background of the Russian army. (Twitter)
In Kyiv, the atmosphere of New Year's Day is much quieter, even tense. On Saturday afternoon December 31, 2022, airstrike sirens sounded many times, followed by loud explosions.
According to reports by Kyiv authorities, at least 10 explosions occurred in the city center causing ruins in a number of areas. One person died and dozens more have been hospitalized. Likewise in a number of other cities.
In total, said Ukrainian Chief of General Staff Valerii Zaluzhnyi, there were 20 cruise missiles launched by the Russian military on Saturday, 12 of which were successfully cleared.
Ukrainian officials call Putin inhumane, celebrating the 2023 New Year by killing people. Even though they continue to attack, the people and the military will not back down.
"Terrorist countries launched several missile waves. They wished us a Happy New Year. But we will survive," Governor Kyiv Oleksy Kuleba wrote on Telegram after the explosion rocked Kyiv.
As a result, New Year's Eve in Kyiv is full of vigilance and worry. The only sign of the day has changed only through the screams of residents from their balcony, Happy New Year, Praise Ukraine.
In his speech at the end of the year, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, continued to encourage him. He will continue to fight with the people to defend his sovereignty and expel terrorist states from Ukraine.
Zelensky is grateful for the heroic actions of the Ukrainian army, volunteers, and the people who have been willing to sacrifice to fight against military aggression. This includes fundraising and leaders of the country welcoming refugees from Ukraine. They will all be recorded in the great history of Ukraine.
"We are all one family. One Ukraine," Zelensky said.
He also assured Ukraine would provide fierce resistance. This is the year Ukraine changed the world.
We were told to give up. We chose a counterattack! We were told to make concessions and compromise. We joined the European Union and NATO," he continued.
Zelensky ended his speech with one hope for Ukraine in the coming year, namely victory. "Let this year be the year to return. The return of our people. Soldiers to their families. Prisoners to their homes. Immmigrants to their Ukraine."
Likewise, the lands that have been controlled by Russia, including the eastern Donbas of Ukraine and Crimea, will be free forever.
"Hopefully the New Year will bring all of this. We are ready to fight for it. That's why each of us is here. I am here, we are here, you are here. Everyone is here. We are all Ukrainians. Commemoration for Ukraine. Happy New Year," Zelensky ended his speech.
Russian President Vladimir Putin also gave his year-end address with great enthusiasm. Putin continued to convince him of what he called a special military operation to Ukraine as a difficult decision, but it was very necessary to gain Russian sovereignty.
Western countries, according to Putin, lie about peace. They have acknowledged it without shame. Dismantling aggression by making Ukraine and its people a tool to weaken and divide Russia.
"We have never allowed anyone and will not allow anyone to do this," Putin said in a video broadcast by state television on New Year's Eve 2022.
Western countries have imposed widespread sanctions on Russia. Many foreign companies withdrew or frozen operations after Moscow sent troops to Ukraine on February 24, hoping that Russia's finances, industry, and transportation would collapse.
However, in fact it didn't happen. Instead it backfired and disastered. Resulting in an energy crisis and an increase in cost of living in various countries.
"This is not the case, because together we create reliable security limits," said Putin.
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