Maryinka

"Washington is sending Kyiv a bloody New Year's gift. It once again demonstrates its loyalty to the concept of war 'to the last Ukrainian'. True, with a small addition - 'as long as there is money'," said the Russian ambassador in Washington, according to the Telegram channel of the Russian embassy.

Russia's Wagner paramilitary group on Monday claimed it had captured the city hall in Ukraine's eastern town of Bakhmut, giving it "legal" control, but Kiev said its forces still held the town.

The battle for Bakhmut has raged for months with Wagner supporting Russian troops and Ukraine warning the fall of the town would lead to the loss of huge swathes of its territory.