The situation at a glance: Russia attacks on Christmas – Zelenskyj’s new appeal

At least one person has been killed and a dozen others injured in a new Russian missile attack on the southeastern Ukrainian town of Kryvyi Rih. A woman was rescued alive from the rubble of a house hit by Russian missiles on Christmas Eve, the city’s military administration said. The number of injured people was at least 15 in the evening, 14 of whom were in hospital.

“Russians are murderers,” wrote the head of the presidential administration, Andriy Yermak, on the Telegram platform alongside a photo of a destroyed house. Nothing is sacred to the Russians, they show no humanity. President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown has repeatedly been the target of destructive missile and drone attacks in the past.

Zelensky: “Christmas unites all Ukrainians”

The new Russian attack shook Christmas celebrations in the country. In Ukraine, many people celebrated Christmas in a Western style, following the example of the leadership seeking to join the EU and NATO. The custom was introduced as part of the defensive fight against the Russian war of aggression. Nevertheless, many people in Ukraine continue to give each other gifts under the Christmas tree on New Year’s Eve according to a long tradition and celebrate Orthodox Christmas on the night of January 7th, like in Russia.

In his Christmas speech, President Zelensky praised the fact that Ukrainians were now celebrating like people in the West. “Christmas unites all Ukrainians,” he said in his evening video speech. “Today we stand side by side,” he said. “And as long as we do that, evil has no chance,” Zelenskyj continued. “We want peace,” he emphasized. The Christmas star should shine over the country – and drones of Iranian design and missiles should not hit.

In his speech, the Ukrainian president also mentioned the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, which Russian troops could soon take. According to his speech, Zelensky hopes that this will not happen. At the same time, he expressed the hope that the soldiers fighting for Ukraine would return home alive.

Ukraine is experiencing its third winter of war. The country has been defending itself against the Russian war of aggression with Western help since February 2022.

Kremlin sees Kyiv as not interested in negotiations

The Russian troops continue to advance and want to take as many towns as possible before possible negotiations. As the Ukrinform agency reports, the situation in the area of ​​the permanent hotspot of Toretsk is particularly difficult. Russia would now use technical equipment such as armored vehicles there.

On Wednesday night, the Ukrainian Air Force reported the takeoff of “Tu-95 MS” fighter jets from the Murmansk region in northwestern Russia towards the south. The Ukrainian population was urged to respond immediately to air alert signals.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin in Moscow once again accused Kiev of refusing to negotiate a solution to the conflict. Since Ukraine is not showing any willingness to talk, Russia is continuing to pursue its war goals, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. “We see the momentum, it speaks for itself. So we continue to move forward,” he said. The country invaded by Russia lost control of numerous towns this year.

Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin recently declared that he was willing to compromise in the conflict. But he left open what he meant by that. Putin annexed the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk regions, although he does not completely control them. Among other things, he demands that Ukraine give up its territories. In addition, the country should remain non-aligned and refrain from joining NATO.

Zelensky categorically rejects all of these Russian demands. The two parties to the conflict repeatedly accuse each other of having no real interest in negotiations to resolve the conflict.