Ukraine marks fourth Christmas at war, hope flounders
Ukraine celebrated its fourth Christmas under continued Russian attacks, with nationwide power outages and little optimism that continued diplomatic efforts would soon bring an end to the conflict.
The celebrations come as Kiev awaits Moscow’s official response to the 20-point peace framework prepared by Ukraine and the United States and presented earlier this week by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy after extensive negotiations with Washington.
In cities including Lviv, families, some joined by soldiers on leave or undergoing rehabilitation, walked through decorated streets to preserve the holiday feeling.
But the mood remained weak as Russia’s attacks on energy infrastructure continued overnight and into Christmas Day.
Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, was among those most affected by the crisis.
Officials said that the city’s heating and electrical systems were damaged as the temperature dropped to minus 11 degrees, one person died and at least 15 people were injured.
“I don’t really feel the Christmas spirit,” said Kateryna Bushtruk, a 28-year-old artist from Zaporizhzhia whose husband and father are fighting on the front lines.
He said he doesn’t expect to see them for another few months.
Despite the circumstances, Bushtruk said she is still decorating her apartment.
“They want us to be afraid and miserable,” he told EFE.
“That’s why I do it.”
Hundreds of ribbons bearing the names of Ukrainian prisoners of war were placed next to a nativity scene in Lviv.
A Christmas tree stood nearby in a place where families of detainees regularly gather to call for international pressure on Russia to release detainees or improve their treatment.
“Celebration is only possible when everyone is home,” a handwritten sign read.
Another said: “We’re expecting people this Christmas, not miracles.”
The return of all Ukrainian prisoners, both military and civilian, was included in Zelenskiy’s proposed peace framework; It also reflects Kiev’s willingness to discuss painful concessions, including effectively accepting Russia’s occupation of nearly 20 percent of Ukrainian territory.
But many Ukrainians are skeptical of Moscow’s intentions.
“I dream that all our people will return to their homes, but I do not believe that the Russians will actually give them back,” Bushtruk said.
“They have already shown how valuable their promises are.”
While millions of Ukrainians shared Christmas Eve meals on Wednesday, many families were unable to do so.
Authorities estimate that about 50,000 residents of the western Lviv region serve in the armed forces, with very few able to celebrate the holiday on the front lines with modest gatherings in shelters.
In Lviv, families visited the city’s military cemetery, where the “Sad Song” ceremony was held in memory of hundreds of fallen soldiers.
Graves were decorated with Christmas trees and symbolic gifts such as toys and traditional sweets.
“There will be no peace until Russia sees our power,” said Olga Spodar, who spent Christmas at the grave of her 38-year-old son Nazariy, a volunteer fighter who was killed a year after the invasion began.
He expressed doubts that the negotiations would be successful.
“Russia will not stop attacking us,” Spodar said.
“The only way to achieve peace is for our soldiers to win and force Russia to leave us alone.”
Bushtruk echoed this view, saying Ukraine paid a huge price.
“The best of the best are dying so that we can live, dream and build a strong, independent Ukraine,” he said.
