Russia's military continued attacking cities across Ukraine on New Year's Day. The leaders of both countries used New Year's messages to call on citizens to unite for victory.

Air raid sirens rang out in Kyiv less than an hour into 2023. Explosions were also heard.

City officials say multiple barrages hit the city. They add that fragments of shot-down missiles also damaged places on the ground.

In his New Year Message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy urged the nation to unite.

He said, "Let this year be the year of return. The return of our people. Soldiers -- to their families. Prisoners -- to their homes. Immigrants -- to their Ukraine. The return of our land."

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin visited the regional military headquarters of Rostov bordering Ukraine. He recorded his annual New Year's address to the nation at the facility.

Putin said, "We will go forward and win for the sake of our families and for the sake of Russia."

Putin says the moral and historical truth is on Russia's side. A US think tank described Putin's speech as an ongoing effort to portray himself as an effective wartime leader. It says he remains focused on justifying the war in Ukraine and its cost to his domestic audience.