Kyiv, Ukraine
CNN
—
President Volodymyr Zelensky called on Ukrainians to have “patience and faith” in a defiant Christmas speech after a wave of deadly Russian attacks hit the southern Ukraine city of Kherson.
Ten months after Russia’s war on Ukraine, Zelensky spoke of perseverance and perseverance, acknowledging that “freedom comes at a high price.”
He urged the country to stand firm in the face of a severe winter of energy blackouts, the absence of loved ones, and the ever-present threat of Russian aggression.
Zelensky’s message came after Ukrainian officials said Russia had fired a deadly rocket into downtown Kherson on Christmas Eve, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens. It described these attacks as “murder for intimidation and pleasure”.
In his Christmas message, Zelensky admitted that all holidays this year leave a bitter aftertaste for the besieged nation.
“We can feel the traditional Christmas spirit in a different way.
“There may be empty chairs around it. Worse, through gunshots and explosions.”
He said that although Ukraine has resisted the forces of evil for 300 days and 8 years, “In this battle there is one more powerful and effective weapon: the hammer and sword of our mind and consciousness. God’s wisdom.” Courage and valor, virtues that incline us to do good and overcome evil.”
He speaks directly to the Ukrainian people, saying that even if communication services and the Internet go down, the country will sing Christmas carols louder than the hum of generators and hear the voices and greetings of relatives “inside”. said deaf.
“And even in total darkness, we find each other and hold each other tight. And when there’s no heat, we give each other big hugs to keep each other warm.”
Zelensky concluded: As usual. We will smile and be happy. As usual. There is one difference. We don’t wait for miracles. After all, we create it ourselves. ”
Ukraine traditionally celebrates Christmas on January 7, following the Orthodox custom of recognizing the birth of Jesus according to the Julian calendar.
but, long-standing rift The Ukrainian and Russian branches of the Orthodox Church have grown in strength since February’s invasion of Moscow.
A branch of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church announced last month that it would allow the church to celebrate Christmas on December 25. Also, many young Ukrainians now choose to celebrate Christmas on December 25 in order to move away from Russia and into the Western world.
Dozens of people gathered around a darkened Christmas tree in Sofia Square in the center of Kyiv, Ukraine, on Sunday night and applauded as a generator turned on the tree’s blue and yellow lights. I was.
Ihor Zholudiev, an IT specialist from Kharkov, Ukraine’s second largest city, told CNN that the moment was “moving.”
“This Christmas is special for us because we can celebrate in this difficult year,” said Zholudiev. His wishes for Christmas, New Year and his birthday are the same.
Photographer Olena Vedmid explained that she was having dinner with her family during frequent power outages in the capital.
“We had electricity for half the day, so we had time to cook,” she said. “We celebrated by candlelight this year and it was amazing. It was cozy and sincere and everyone liked it.”
Hours before Zelensky delivered his Christmas speech, a series of deadly Russian strikes slammed into the city of Kherson, attacking apartment buildings and medical facilities.
Yanushevich said on Sunday that a total of 16 people were killed in 71 Russian attacks on Saturday across the Kherson region. Another 64 of his people suffered injuries of varying severity, he said.
Zelensky condemned the Kherson shelling as an act of “terrorism”.
“The terrorist state continues to bring the Russian world in the form of shelling of civilians.
“These are not military installations,” he wrote on Telegram Saturday. “This is not a war according to defined rules.
In November, Russian troops withdrew from the city of Kherson, the only provincial capital they have occupied since the start of the invasion, inflicting a heavy blow on Russian President Vladimir Putin. Since then, Russian troops have been stationed across the river from Kherson, regularly bombarding the city from Kherson.
Putin, citing an interview with state television on Sunday, said he would “negotiate an acceptable solution with all those involved in this process” regarding the war in Ukraine, according to Russian state news agency TASS. said he was ready.
“I don’t think it’s that dangerous. I think we’re moving in the right direction, we’re defending our national interests and the interests of our citizens. And we have no choice but to defend our citizens,” Putin said. said. “We are ready to negotiate an acceptable solution with all those involved in this process, but it is up to them. It is they who are refusing to negotiate, not us.” .”
“President Putin needs to get back to reality,” tweeted Ukrainian presidential adviser Mikhail Podoljak.
Podlyak tweeted that Russia was “attacking Ukraine alone and killing its citizens”, adding, “Russia does not want negotiations and is trying to avoid responsibility. This is clear, so I will move to court.” ”
Putin’s remarks come as Russia continues to attack Ukraine. On Sunday, Donetsk Regional Military Administrator Pablo Kirilenko said Russian forces hit Kramatorsk with three rockets. An industrial area was attacked, but there were no casualties.
