Russia's military invasion of Ukraine continues.
Russian and Ukrainian forces continue to fight in various parts of Ukraine, and many civilians are fleeing the country. We will update you on the situation in Ukraine on the 31st (Japan time), including the situation of the battle and the diplomacy of the countries concerned.
(There is a 7-hour time difference between Japan and Ukraine, and 6 hours with Moscow, Russia.)
Putin's New Year's message to the Hungarian Prime Minister
President Putin is the only EU member state to send a message to the Hungarian prime minister, who shows a pro-Russian stance, such as opposing the financial support of the EU = European Union for Ukraine, and it seems that he is trying to suppress support for Ukraine.
On the 30th, the Russian President's Office released the heads of state and the contents of the annual message to which President Putin sent the annual message celebrating Christmas and New Year.
It was mainly sent to BRICS member countries such as China and India, as well as former Soviet countries, and not to the United States, the United Kingdom, or Japan.
It was sent to Prime Minister Viktor Orban of Hungary, which is the only one in the EU = European Union that shows a pro-Russian stance, and President Putin emphasized that he was able to maintain a positive relationship between the two countries despite the difficult international situation.
The EU discussed a huge amount of financial support for Ukraine at a summit meeting held on the 14th of this month, but it could not be agreed because Prime Minister Orbán opposed it, and it is said that it will discuss again at the beginning of the year, and the Russian side seems to be trying to restrain support for Ukraine.
The Ukrainian government is calling for stronger support amid Western support fatigue, and the head of the Ukrainian president's office, Yermak, announced on SNS on the 28th that he is preparing a summit meeting between Prime Minister Orban and President Zelensky in the near future.
Russian authorities "Ukrainian army attack on western city, 18 dead"
The Russian Ministry of Emergency Situations announced on the 30th that there was an attack by the Ukrainian army on Belgorod City, the capital of Belgorod Oblast in western Russia, which borders Ukraine, and so far 18 people have been killed and 111 injured.
The city center was attacked, and footage from the scene shows multiple cars bursting into flames and shattering windows of buildings.
The Ukrainian authorities have not disclosed their involvement.
A spokesman for the Russian Ministry of Defense issued a statement in response to the attack, stating that 'such crimes must not go unpunished,' indicating a stance to further attack Ukraine.
President Zelensky says '39 people died' in Russia's massive attack
In Ukraine, the search for people who were missing from the previous day's attack and the removal of debris continued for 30 days.
The number of casualties has risen further, with President Zelensky saying on social media on the 30th that 39 people have been killed and 159 injured so far.
Of these, 16 deaths have been confirmed so far in the capital Kyiv, and the mayor announced that the first day of next month will be a day of mourning for the new year, as many citizens have died.