Ukrainians spent this year’s Christmas in fear of potential new Russian strikes that would leave them without electricity and heat in the dead of winter, and the Christmas tree in the center of Kyiv is a vivid symbol of this.

Photos shared by Ukrainians on social networks or published by international news agencies show how the center of the Ukrainian capital is almost in darkness at night due to saving electricity in order not to load the power grid, which was badly damaged by repeated rockets and drone attacks by the Russian Armed Forces.

But on Christmas Eve and Christmas, Christmas tree lights were lit, and some Kyivans were going to take pictures here.

PHOTO: AA / Abaca Press / Profimedia Images

PHOTO: AA / Abaca Press / Profimedia Images

American political scientist and writer Ian Bremmer, president of the Eurasia Group risk analysis and consulting company, published a photo collage that captured a striking difference between how the center of the Ukrainian capital looks this year compared to previous years.

The symbolism of the Christmas tree in Kyiv

Traditionally, Ukrainians celebrate Christmas in the old way, but opinion polls show that more and more are celebrating it on December 25, and a poll conducted earlier this month by the Interfax Ukraine agency found that support for the change almost doubled after the Russian invasion. February 24.

Kyiv Mayor Vitaliy Klitschko said that the authorities hesitated to put up the Christmas tree because of Russian attacks that repeatedly hit the country’s energy infrastructure, leaving Kyiv residents without electricity and heat several times.

But Klitschko said City Hall eventually adapted to the situation, using a diesel generator to light the tree and reusing some decorations from previous years.

“We call it the Christmas tree of Ukrainian insubordination,” he told AFP, adding that the authorities had made every effort to give children Christmas despite the situation.

This year, the Christmas tree was lit only with the blue and yellow colors of the Ukrainian flag, and instead of the traditional star, a trident – the coat of arms of Ukraine – was placed on its top.

“The Russians are trying to steal the normal life of our citizens, but we will not give them the opportunity to steal our greatest holidays – New Year and Christmas – from our children,” Vitaliy Klitschko said during the opening of the Christmas tree.

Address of Volodymyr Zelenskyi to Ukrainians

In his Christmas address to the nation, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainians will create their own Christmas miracle, showing they remain steadfast despite Russian attacks that have plunged millions into darkness.

“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,” continued Volodymyr Zelenskyi.

“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,” added the Ukrainian president, stressing that “we will, as always, smile and be happy. There is only one difference – we will not wait, a miracle, because we create it ourselves.”

In a speech he delivered on the first day of Christmas, Zelenskyi said that when “Ukrainians are together, (…) we cannot be defeated.”

“Today, millions of people celebrate Christmas according to the Gregorian calendar. And I once again congratulate everyone who is celebrating right now, these days. And once again I want to express gratitude – together – to all those who, both these days and at any other time, do everything to live Let’s live our lives and in our country,” he said.

At the same time, he called on Ukrainians to be careful and pay attention to air warning sirens, to be ready to protect themselves and others.

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