Russian forces are advancing in the east, slowly but surely, and they are shrinking Ukraine’s partial hold of the border region of Kursk

One of Vladimir Putin's allies has made a boastful five-word prediction for the new year. The Deputy Chair of Russia's Security Council and former President, Dmitry Medvedev, posted a gif on X on December 31. It read: "Happy New Year, World! Happy New Year, beloved Russia !" He then named 2025 as the "Year of the Great Victory!"

With soaring inflation and the ruble dropping to one of its lowest levels against the dollar since President Vladimir Putin launched his war in Ukraine, this year Russians will have to pay more for the dish, which is traditionally served alongside caviar and tangerines, before the New Year is toasted in.