Russian President Vladimir Putin praised Russia's "united society" in his prerecorded New Year's address to the nation, the country's state news agencies reported.
Putin addressed Russians in a video that ran under four minutes long, significantly shorter than the New Year's speech he gave last year, according to state news agency RIA Novosti.
Millions of people were expected to watch the new address when it airs on TV as each Russian time zone region counts down the final minutes of 2023.
The first to see it were residents of the Kamchatka Peninsula and the Chukotka region in Russia's Far East, some nine hours ahead of Moscow.
Returning to tradition after speaking flanked by soldiers last year, Putin delivered his address to the nation against the backdrop of a snowy Kremlin. In remarks carried by RIA Novosti, he described 2023 as a year marked by high levels of unity in Russian society.
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"What united us and unites us is the fate of the Fatherland, a deep understanding of the highest significance of the historical stage through which Russia is passing," the president said.
He also lauded Russian citizens' "solidarity, mercy and fortitude".
The nearly two-year-old war in Ukraine was front and centre in the address, with Putin directly addressing Russia's armed forces involved in what the Kremlin has termed its "special military operation" in the neighbouring country.
"We are proud of you, you are heroes, you feel the support of the entire people," the president said.
According to state media, he emphasised that Russia would never retreat and asserted there was no force that could divide Russians and stop the country's development.
The address' broadcast comes a day after shelling in the centre of the Russian border city of Belgorod killed 24 people, including three children. Another 108 people were wounded, Belgorod Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov said, making the attack one with the most casualties on Russian soil since the start of Moscow's invasion of Ukraine 22 months ago.
As he enters 2024, Putin is wagering that the West's support for Ukraine will gradually crumble due to political divisions, war fatigue and other diplomatic demands, such as China's menacing of Taiwan and war in the Middle East.
Putin is seeking reelection in a March 17 presidential election that he is all but certain to win.
Under constitutional reforms he orchestrated, the 71-year-old leader is eligible to seek two more six-year terms after his current term expires, potentially allowing him to remain in power until 2036.
