Russian President Vladimir Putin seen during a meeting with workers at the Obukhov State Plant in Saint Petersburg, Russia. (Photo by Contributor/Getty Images)

Want something to toast to at midnight?

Here’s are just a few of the things that made Putin wince this year:

  1. For the first time since World War II, foreign troops occupy parts of Russian soil. Even now, from whatever safe place you might be reading this, Ukrainian troops are valiantly holding out in the Kursk region — and against incredible odds.

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Ancient Ukrainian city – long controlled by Russia – now in Ukrainian hands

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