Zelenskyy cheers Ukraine on Christmas – the nightly update without pictures The troubles of the Russians told through the story of army socks

Selenskyj with an emotional Christmas speech

Following new Russian attacks, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj called on people to hang on in an emotional Christmas video message. “We have endured attacks, threats, nuclear blackmail, terror and missile strikes. Let’s get through this winter, because we know what we’re fighting for,” Zelenskyy said in a video circulated on Christmas Eve. He stood in the dark street with a Christmas tree and sparse lights in the background.

“We believe that tears will give way to joy, hope will come after despair, and death will be conquered by life,” Zelenskyy said. Millions of people in Ukraine and around the world are celebrating Christmas these days, he said. The president recalled Ukrainians who had fled abroad or spent Christmas in Russian captivity. “We will bring freedom back to all Ukrainian women and men.”

After the Russian attacks on the country’s energy infrastructure, streets and homes may not shine as brightly as usual this year, Zelensky said. But no Russian drone or missile can break the spirit of Christmas. “And even in total darkness, we will find each other to hug each other tightly. And if there is no heating, we warm ourselves with a big hug,” said Zelenskyy. “We don’t wait for a miracle, we create it ourselves.”

In Ukraine, December 25 is both an official Christmas Day and January 7, when the Orthodox Christians celebrate.

Kiev mayor Vitali Klitschko also sent Christmas greetings on the news channel. The festival strengthens faith in hearts, he said. “We especially thank the defenders who are far from their hometown and their relatives.” They are in the process of bringing victory ever closer to Ukraine.

Ukraine: 10 killed and 55 wounded in Russian shelling of Kherson

Widespread horror was caused by new Russian attacks on the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson. 10 people were killed and 55 others injured, military governor Yaroslav Yanushevich announced on Ukrainian television on Saturday evening. 18 people were seriously injured. Kyrylo Tymoshenko, the deputy chief of the Presidential Office in Kiev, published photos of lifeless people in the center of the city, which was recently liberated from Russian occupation, on his Telegram channel.

According to Ukrainian sources, Russian troops are still shelling the city from other parts of the occupied Kherson region. Most of the area is still controlled by Russian forces. Russia illegally annexed the Kherson region.

Selenskyj condemned the attack as a new crime of the “terror state” Russia just before Christmas. The pictures of the dead would surely be flagged by social networks because of the content. “But this is not sensitive content, this is the real life of Ukraine and Ukrainians,” he said. “This is terror, this is killing for the sake of intimidation and pleasure,” he said. “The world needs to see and understand the absolute evil we are fighting.”

Fear of possible Russian attack from Belarus on Ukraine

Given the concentration of Russian troops in Belarus, fears remain in Kiev about a possible new attack from there on northern Ukraine. According to the US Institute for War Studies (ISW) in Belarus, Russia continues to create the conditions for a possible attack. The ISW experts believe such an attack is still unlikely, but possible. The establishment of a field hospital is seen as an indication of this. “Field hospitals are not necessary for exercises and can be an indication of preparation for combat operations,” it said.

In Belarus, the ruler Alexander Lukashenko, who is politically and financially dependent on Moscow, has made his military bases available for attacks on Ukraine. Ukraine sees Belarus as a war party. On the other hand, Lukashenko, who arrived in Moscow on Saturday for another visit, insists that he is not taking part in the war. Lukashenko and Putin will meet for another informal Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) summit on December 26-27.

Survey: Supply of main battle tanks in Ukraine is viewed with skepticism

In a survey by opinion polling institute YouGov on behalf of the German news agency, 45 percent of those polled spoke out against the delivery of German Leopard 2 main battle tanks to Ukraine. Only 33 percent are in favour, 22 percent provide no information. Ukraine has been demanding Leopard 2 tanks from Germany for months. Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) does not want to deliver them alone and points out that no other country has delivered comparable weapon systems. From the ranks of his two smaller coalition partners, the Greens and FDP, there are repeated calls for the Leopard 2 to be sent to Ukraine. The largest opposition group, the CDU/CSU, is also in favor of it.

Spain’s King Felipe and the Pope condemn the war

Meanwhile, the Spanish king denounced the Russian offensive war against Ukraine and its consequences. The conflict has “already led to a level of devastation and devastation that is hard to imagine,” said Felipe VI. in his Christmas speech broadcast on TV and radio on Saturday night. He warned of the consequences of a war of “global importance” that “has endangered our security”.

During Christmas at St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome, Pope Francis used the homily to condemn wars: “How many wars are there! And in how many places are dignity and freedom trampled today!” However, he did not directly mention the war in Ukraine.

What will be important on Sunday

In Ukraine, many people celebrate Christmas Day. As a study published a few days ago showed, more and more people are turning away from the Orthodox tradition of celebrating Christmas on January 7. Instead, many now follow the calendar of the Western churches. Russia is likely to continue its attacks on Ukraine over Christmas because of this. (sda/dpa)