THE war in Ukraine reignited on the last day of 2024 — as peace deal hopes were dashed.
There were huge attacks from both sides amid reports Russian leader Vladimir Putin had rejected proposals to help end the conflict.
Russia launched cruise missiles on Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and the Sumy region. In response, Ukraine retaliated with American Himars long-range missiles in the Kursk region.
Explosions were also heard in the city of Oryol in western Russia.
Ukraine also claimed an “historic” first as one of its new seaborne drones shot down a Russian Mi-8 helicopter.
Video showed a “Sea Dragon” missile fired from the Magura V5 drone blasting the military chopper off the coast of occupied Crimea.
The exchanges followed a lull in recent days, sparking rumours of a behind-the-scenes push to end the fighting before the new year.
A Russian emissary was reported to have flown to Washington for secret talks.
However, Ukrainian TV presenter Dmitry Gordon alleged that Putin canceled a scheduled video call with US President-elect Donald Trump at the last minute. Instead, Putin opted to initiate a fresh round of attacks.
Mr Gordon said: “While the Russian delegation was in the US, the firing of rockets and drones into Ukraine dropped to a minimum.
“These past few days, for example, there have been no alarms at all in Kyiv. Residents of other cities say the same.
Gordon stated, “The Russians, following Trump’s suggestion, aimed to avoid escalating the conflict during diplomatic talks. Regrettably, these discussions concluded without any fruitful outcomes.”
The peace plan was said to involve Nato troops patrolling an 800-mile buffer zone.
Ukraine would not join Nato for 20 years and the most painful sanctions on Russia would be gradually lifted, it was claimed.
