President Vladimir Putin said Russia would “never back down” as he addressed Russian citizens with his traditional New Year’s speech from Kremlin. Residents of Kamchatka and Chukotka, where the New Year arrives early as the time difference with Moscow is plus 9 hours were the first to see Putin make the address.

The Russian president praised his country’s military personnel without explicitly mentioning the conflict in Ukraine. This is different from last year when the Kremlin chief was flanked by soldiers in uniform. 

Putin described 2024 as the “year of the family” in front of the traditional backdrop of the Kremlin. 

“We have repeatedly proved that we can solve the most difficult tasks and will never back down because there is no force that can separate us,” Putin said in the address, aired on state TV.

“To all those who are on duty, on the front line of the fight for truth and justice. You are our heroes. Our hearts are with you. We are proud of you, we admire your courage,” he added. 

The televised New Year’s Eve speech has become a holiday ritual in Russia, with millions of people tuning in. It became a tradition, which Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev started. 

It is broadcast immediately before midnight in each of Russia’s 11 time zones and normally includes a recap of the previous year’s events as well as wishes for the coming year.