Ukrainians will create their own Christmas miracle, showing they remain steadfast despite Russian attacks that have plunged millions into darkness, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyi said in a defiant address on Saturday.

Ten months after Russia launched a war that killed tens of thousands of people and displaced millions more, Zelensky said that while freedom was expensive, slavery would cost even more.

“We withstood at the beginning of the war – withstood attacks, threats, nuclear blackmail, terror, rocket attacks. We will endure this winter as well, because we know what we are fighting for,” said the leader of the people of Kyiv.

Continuous Russian missile and drone attacks since October have caused massive damage to the power generation system, regularly leaving major cities without water and heat.

Zelensky said this in a video message to Ukrainians celebrating Christmas in December. Most Ukrainians celebrate this holiday at the beginning of January.

“Even in total darkness, we will find each other to hug tightly. And if there is no heat, we will hug for a long time to warm each other,” he said.

“As always, we will smile and be happy. There is only one difference – we will not wait for a miracle, because we ourselves create it.”

The clip, which is less than nine minutes long, was shot outside at night with some white lights and a Christmas tree in the background.

Zelensky said Ukrainian troops are fighting in eastern Donbas, while others are in exile both at home and abroad after fleeing the Russians.

“We have been fighting them for more than 300 days and eight years. Are we going to let them get what they want?” he said, referring to Russia’s occupation of Crimea in 2014.