Today is Christmas Eve, but it also marks the 10th month of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. While the Christian world celebrates Christmas, we also think of the millions of Ukrainians who will have a difficult and dangerous Christmas as Russia continues to launch missiles and attack Ukraine, where many people have no heat or water supplies due to the attacks.
Will there be a truce on Christmas Day between the two sides? Trust is at an all time low with spies everywhere and it is doubtful that Ukraine could take that risk. We are at a stalemate, where Russia claims they are not to blame (even though they invaded) claiming they needed to save Ukraine and to protect themselves but from what in either case? Russia has not shown any desire to discuss matters, and Ukraine has stated they will not cede any land to Russia. With additional weapons being supplied to Ukraine from their allies, Ukraine is better equipped to defend itself and push the Russians out, but after then, how do they guarantee that they won’t return? That’s why NATO and EU membership is essential.
Day 303 (23 December)
The Russians have demolished half of the Mariupol Theatre which was used as a bomb shelter, and that was bombed on 16 March 2022. This is it seems to be an attempt to erase evidence of any war crimes (the Russians bombed a non-military building), and the erase anything that is Ukrainian.
In a press conference, Putin referred to the invasion of Ukraine as a ‘war’ rather than the ‘special military operation’ as he claimed it was. Perhaps it is because he has had to carry out a mobilisation, and also recruit soldiers from the prisons that he can’t deny it is a war? Perhaps he admits is it is a war as he enlists the active support of Belarus?
The Netherlands has allocated €2.5 billion in funds to assist Ukraine. The funds will be used for military, humanitarian, and diplomatic support, as well as reconstruction of the energy grids damaged in the recent attacks.
North Korea has denied that it has supplied any weapons to Russia.
The US Senate has voted to approve an amendment that would permit the government to seize the assets of Russian oligarchs and to transfer the funds to Ukraine to pay for the reconstruction of the country
Stoltenberg of NATO gave a press conference and stated that Russia has no plans for peace, and talks of negotiations are stalling tactics to allow time for Russia to regroup and plan a new offensive. This is hardly ground breaking news that we all knew months ago, so at least NATO is catching up with things, or perhaps they have nothing they can say publicly for now?
Details of how Zelenskyy travelled to the US have been released as it was for obvious security reasons a secret. He travelled by overnight train to Poland and from there, he flew on a US Air Force plane (US Boeing C-40B) that was accompanied and escorted by NATO jets and an F-15 fighter jet
Day 304 (24 December)
Kherson which was recently liberated was attacked by missiles launched by the Russians killing at least 7 people. So much for Russia wanting to protect Kherson when they occupied the area, so surely some Russians can see that the Kremlin propaganda that they are being fed is a bunch of fibs.
Iran has alleged said they will not provide Russia with ballistic missiles, but has sold 1.7 thousand drones to Russia. While Iran initially denied selling the drones after the invasion began, evidence (from fragments) indicate that that story is inaccurate (debris of the drones contain recently manufactured parts).
A Ukrainian court has sentenced 2 Russian soldiers and 2 mercenaries for torturing 3 Ukrainian veterans in Borova (near Kharkiv) to 11 years in prison.
A blessed Christmas to all who are praying for an end to this "war" and for the return of freedom for the Ukrainian people.