A decisive year beginning #poetry #fear #courage #life #Ukraine #war #Christmas #Kyiv #culture #joy #resolve #NewYear #OleksandraMatviichuk #ChristinaKydrava

Something in the air, the water,
a change in the balance of power,
The tide of the war is shifting,
perhaps almost imperceptibly,
But nonetheless real…
 
A different year ended, turning,
a decisive year beginning, unfolding,
Quickly seeing the fruits of their efforts,
The resolve of their partners,
Ukraine’s will to survive, to adapt…
 
Russia’s size has become its weakness,
Their power is muted by innovation,
Homegrown weapons are so effective
against the expanse of targets
Their Achilles Heel…
 
Asymmetric warfare, drones, and missiles,
hunting their homeland, unprotected,
Vulnerable in their vastness,
a field rich with targets
Too many to protect…
 
---------------

January 10, 2026

A decisive year beginning

https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/a-decisive-year-beginning.html

Based on my post to Mykhailo Fedorov on LinkedIn,

“In the poem below, I called 2025, "A different year ended"; but that makes 2026, "A decisive year begun". I pray this is the year for Ukraine to achieve victory and a just and lasting peace. ”

Edited January 5, 2026
A different year ended – v2
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/a-different-year-ended-v2.html
Inspired by post of Christina Kydrava, December 31, 2025,
https://www.instagram.com/stories/kydrava_/3799867793609373927/
reposting her post of December 31, 2024
https://www.instagram.com/p/DEQD199tBfb/
“There will be no results, only conclusions: the struggle continues.”
 
I replied: “Another year ending but different than last December 31. This year ending was like 1942/1943 in the United States, where military production and attacks on Japanese positions began after the attack on Pearl Harbor. The parallels aren't perfect, but Ukraine is now producing more of its own weapons and taking the fight to Russia. 2026 will be decisive for Ukraine’s victory.”
Edited December 31, 2025
Despite everything
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2026/01/despite-everything.html
December 30, 2025 Instagram post by Oleksandra Matviichuk
https://www.instagram.com/p/DS7HP6aDOC3/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Edited December 27, 2025
Courage to Step Outside – v3
https://raymondafoss.blogspot.com/2025/12/courage-to-step-outside-v3.html
Images and videos of Christmas celebrations and parades
In Kyiv and other cities of Ukraine and
Erica Kabaeva post on Instagram November 4, 2025
 
All of my poems, photographs, and videos are copyrighted by Raymond A. Foss, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024, 2025, and 2026. All rights are reserved. Contact me at Ray Foss (raymondafoss@gmail.com)  for usage. See my poems at www.raymondafoss.blogspot.com 
Poetry Where You Live.
 
Poetry, fear, courage, life, Ukraine, war, Christmas, Kyiv, culture, joy, resolve, New Year, Oleksandra Matviichuk, Christina Kydrava,
 
#poetry #fear #courage #life #Ukraine #war #Christmas #Kyiv #culture #joy #resolve #NewYear #OleksandraMatviichuk #ChristinaKydrava