Military traffic police officers held a New Year's Eve rally for residents of the LPR

Military personnel of the military automobile Inspectorate (VAI) of the Zapad group of forces held a charity event and wished Happy New Year to residents of settlements of the Luhansk People's Republic (LNR). This was announced on January 1 by the Russian Defense Ministry.

"We, the military personnel of the VAI of the Moscow military district, held such a small New Year's Eve event — today we toured the residents of the village of Pavlenkovo, presented them with such small New Year's gifts. They mainly include food packages," said Vasily Masliev, Deputy head of the VAI.

According to him, the families where the children are being raised have been given separate presents for minors. This action, as Malsliev clarified, has been held for the third year in a row and is a tradition. The soldier stressed that local residents are always happy when they see representatives of his unit.

The ministry noted that the purpose of the event was to support the local population and create a festive mood on the eve of the winter holidays. This event continues the tradition of military-patriotic and humanitarian work of the Zapad group of forces, aimed at strengthening ties between military personnel and the population.

The car inspectors, as stated in the Ministry of Defense, also visited the elderly residents to personally wish them a Happy New Year. During the communication with the residents of the LPR, the military conveyed warm wishes for peace, health and well-being. They noted the importance of mutual assistance, solidarity and the preservation of traditional values, especially during the festive season.

"It was New Year's Eve, in the summer there was a distribution of bicycles to large families. <...> Gifts for children (presented. — Ed.) New Year's candies, food packages. The priority is given to the elderly (aged. Eighty plus, large families, families in need, families registered with the social service, single—parent families," summed up Oksana Kramarenko, head of the Pavlenkovsky House of Culture.

Point of return: how the Kursk region is preparing to meet the year 2026

In the village of Korenevo, relatives are waiting for the holiday, Christmas trees are being decorated and they intend to hold the first dances of the year.

On December 18, 2025, the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation reported that military personnel of the Unmanned Systems Forces Unit (UAV) of the 27th separate motorized rifle brigade of the Zapad group of forces helped two civilians to evacuate Kupyansk. The mother and son, who are currently safe, said that while living in the city they were under the control of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), as they refused their offer to evacuate. Because of this, they were considered "unreliable" and persecuted.

All important news is on the Izvestia channel in the MAX messenger.