From: Maia Mikhaluk in Kyiv (677th day): The first day of 2024 is not that different from many days in 2023. So far there were three air raids in Kyiv, with total duration of 5 hours. In many other regions of Ukraine there were air raids and drone attacks during New Year Eve’s night and during the day. When your neighbor is a terrorist state the terror is ongoing.
I wish I could be writing something more upbeat and optimistic. I wish I could feel more upbeat and optimistic. But actually holiday season is making it harder. It’s like we put pressure on ourselves to feel in a certain way because it’s that time of the year that used to be joyful and festive. That failed effort and unfulfilled expectation leaves me more tired and sad.
During the first minutes of this New Year, we listened to the Ukrainian Anthem that came with a video collage of Ukrainian’s fight against invaders for almost 2 years. I think this is the first New Year in my whole life that I started in tears.
Voice of Ukraine 
2 responses to “1/2/2024 – I think this is the first New Year in my whole life that I started in tears.”
From: Ira Kapitonova in Kyiv (Day 677):
You are the God who works wonders;
you have made known your might among the peoples.
Psalm 77:14
I came across these statistics today. In 2024, Russia launched a total of 5011 missiles and drones. This number doesn’t say much to me. Is it too high? To me, even one drone launched as a terrorist attack is too high of a number.
Thankfully, our air-defense forces intercepted 71% (3543 pieces) of what was launched. This is great news — just think of the lives spared! This number is much higher than what we had at the beginning of the full-scale war, and this number shows why we feel relatively safe to stay in Ukraine. The percentage could have been higher if Ukraine hadn’t spread over this much territory. It’s about the size of Texas, two times bigger than Italy, four times bigger than Greece, and 14 times bigger than the Netherlands. It’s hard to predict where the enemy might strike with this much land, so our air defense has gaps Russians are taking advantage of. Oh, and there are some missiles that our air defense is helpless against. They are usually the ones bringing the most destruction.
An analyst said it looks like Russia might have revised its goal of sending Ukraine into a complete blackout because our critical infrastructure has been fortified since last year. However, they might have a different plan in mind, which means new survival skills to be mastered for us in store.
Today, while talking to our family outside of Ukraine, I noticed how matter-of-factly we were talking about all the sirens and missile attacks. Our son didn’t even know if there was anything to say about it. It’s part of our lives now, so it must not be a big deal. I need to remind myself that our “new normal” is not normal at all. That children shouldn’t be used to sirens, that people shouldn’t always have a “plan B” in case there’s an attack, that living a peaceful life is every person’s right and not a privilege.
I believe that one day, when God grants us victory, we’ll shake off all these newly acquired habits, and our children will be able to experience their childhood to the fullest. Lord, may this day come soon!
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