In a forceful Christmas speech, President Volodymyr Zelensky urged Ukrainians to maintain “patience and trust” after a devastating wave of Russian airstrikes battered the southern city of Kherson.
Zelensky spoke of perseverance and seeing the battle against Ukraine through ten months in while realizing that “freedom comes at a heavy price.”
He exhorted the country to maintain its resolve in the face of a bleak winter that included energy shortages, loved ones being away, and the constant fear of Russian assault.
Zelensky’s statement was sent after Ukrainian authorities said that on Christmas Eve, Russia launched deadly rocket attacks into the center of Kherson, killing at least 10 people and injuring dozens more. These attacks were “killing for the purpose of intimidation and pleasure,” according to Zelensky.
On December 24, 2022, a rescuer puts out a fire in a burning business following Russian shelling of Kherson.
On December 24, 2022, a rescuer puts out a fire in a burning business following Russian shelling of Kherson.
Images by Dimitar Kilkoff/AFP/Getty
“We shall cross paths again”
Zelensky stated in his Christmas address that this year, all holidays are bittersweet for the besieged nation.
“We experience the typical Christmas Spirit in a different way. It can’t be that delicious and cozy for dinner around the family table.
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There might be empty chairs nearby. Furthermore, our homes and streets cannot be that light. Additionally, Christmas bells may not sound as fervently or inspiringly. by gunfire and explosions, or far worse, air raid sirens.
He claimed that although Ukraine has resisted bad forces for 318 days and 8 years, “in this struggle, we have another potent and efficient weapon. the hammer and sword of our consciousness and spirit. the divine wisdom. bravery and courage. virtues that encourage us to choose good over evil.
Speaking directly to the Ukrainian people, he declared that despite disruptions in communication and the internet, the nation will sing Christmas songs louder than the sound of a power generator and hear the voices and greetings of family members “in our hearts.”
“And we will locate each other, even in complete darkness, to give each other warm hugs. We shall also give each other a huge embrace to keep each other warm if there is no heat.
At the US Capitol in Washington, DC on December 21, 2022, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addresses the US Congress. US Vice President Kamala Harris (L) and US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) cheer. Zelensky is in Washington for his first international travel since the Russian invasion in February in order to meet with US President Joe Biden and address Congress. (Image credit: Mandel NGAN/AFP) (Image via Getty Images, courtesy of MANDEL NGAN/AFP)
Ukrainians’ reactions to Zelensky’s historic journey to Washington, DC, include, “I actually got tears in my eyes.”
Zelensky closed by saying, “We’ll enjoy our holidays! as usual. We’ll beam a smile and be joyful. as usual. One makes the difference. No, we won’t hold out for a miracle. After all, we are the ones who make it.
Christmas has historically been observed in Ukraine on January 7 in accordance with Orthodox Christian traditions, which commemorate the birth of Jesus as of the Julian calendar.
But since Moscow’s invasion in February, a chasm between the Russian and Ukrainian Orthodox churches has grown wider.
Last month, a division of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church declared that its churches would be permitted to observe Christmas on December 25. In an effort to turn away from Russia and toward the West, many younger Ukrainians are increasingly choosing to observe the holiday on December 25.
Kherson incidents
Yaroslav Yanushevych, the head of the region’s military administration, reported that homes and medical facilities were among the buildings destroyed in the city of Kherson hours before Zelensky delivered his Christmas address.
Three state emergency personnel who were killed during demining operations were among the 16 persons who were killed in a total of 71 Russian strikes across the larger Kherson region on Saturday, according to Yanushevych on Sunday. According to him, 64 additional people had injuries of various seriousness.
Zelensky referred to Kherson’s bombardment as an act of “horror.”
Zelensky called the shelling a “terrorist attack” and denounced it.
Zelensky called the shelling a “terrorist attack” and denounced it.
Images by Dimitar Kilkoff/AFP/Getty
“The terrorist nation keeps bombarding the civilian population and bringing it to the Russian globe. Kherson. On the eve of Christmas, in the early hours of Saturday morning, in the heart of the city,” he stated.
He stated on Telegram on Saturday, “These are not military facilities. The rules of war do not apply to this conflict. It is fear and murder done for intimidation and gratification.
In a humiliating loss for Russian President Vladimir Putin, Russia’s troops withdrew from Kherson city in November, the only provincial capital it had taken control of since the invasion began. Since that time, Russian troops have established a position across the river from Kherson and have been often shelling the city from that position.