Russia’s defence ministry may believe its forces are “defeating” Ukraine’s counter-offensive in the Kursk region, but Vladimir Putin clearly doesn’t.

With soaring inflation and the ruble dropping to one of its lowest levels against the dollar since President Vladimir Putin launched his war in Ukraine, this year Russians will have to pay more for the dish, which is traditionally served alongside caviar and tangerines, before the New Year is toasted in.

The Russia-Ukraine war has been escalating for nearly three years, with no sign of a ceasefire on the horizon. Moscow continues to intensify its efforts to obliterate war-torn Ukraine, leaving the world deeply concerned.