Russia has pledged to retaliate after claiming to have shot down eight US-made ATACMS missiles launched by Ukraine on Saturday morning. Moscow views the use of these missiles, which can travel up to 300 kilometres (186 miles), as a significant increase in the conflict.

According to Russia's Ministry of Defense, the country's air defences destroyed eight ballistic missiles and seventy-two aircraft-type unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). It added that “these actions by the Kyiv regime, which is supported by Western curators, will be met with retaliation.” The statement said that several drones were destroyed near Kursk, where Ukraine launched a surprise strike late last summer, and in the Leningrad region in the northwest. In November, outgoing US President Joe Biden approved Ukraine's use of ATACMS missiles, partly in response to Russia escalating the conflict by bringing in North Korean troops. In reaction to Ukrainian strikes with ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System), Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Russia could use its new nuclear-capable ballistic missile, "Oreshnik."

Last month, Putin proposed testing Western-supplied air defence systems by firing a weapon at Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. The only test launch of this experimental weapon took place on November 21, targeting the Dnipro region in Ukraine. Ukrainian drone attacks led to temporary restrictions being imposed at an airport in St. Petersburg, according to Russian state media agency TASS. In a Telegram post, Leningrad oblast Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko claimed that four UAVs were shot down over his area, making the "night and morning of January 4 record-breaking in terms of the number of UAVs destroyed."

A Ukrainian security official, Andrii Kovalenko, stated that a seaport in Leningrad was attacked, describing it as a crucial part of Russia's economic and military survival while it remains isolated. According to Ukraine's Air Force Command, Russia launched 81 drones against Ukraine overnight on Friday and Saturday, including "various types of imitation drones" and Iranian-made Shahed drones. According to a statement, 34 Shahed attack drones and other types of UAVs were shot down, although some of the downed drones caused damage in the Chernihiv and Sumy regions. As the conflict that began in February 2022 continues, Ukraine enters the new year at a disadvantage, with Russia making advances on the eastern frontlines.

Russia’s defence ministry announced on Saturday that its forces have captured the village of Nadiya in Ukraine’s eastern Luhansk region. Meanwhile, in Donetsk, the town of Pokrovsk is facing increasing pressure from Russian forces as Ukrainian troops are losing ground to the south and east of the area. Trump has pledged to end the war, and Ukraine fears that the new Trump administration may stop providing essential military assistance.