Ukrainian children given Christmas presents in destroyed villages in Donetsk
The Telegraph
12-21-2022
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UJimlU2n8W4
Despite Putin’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, children in the country’s east had some joy and Christmas mood as police officers treated them with presents to mark St. Nicholas Day.
A police unit visited two villages in Donetsk region, Sviatohirsk and Lyman, which mostly emptied out as civilians fled the region, but some families with children decided to stay.
During a festive celebration with a man dressed in a St Nicholas costume, police handed out gift boxes with candies, toys, sportswear and first aid kits inside to the children.
The 10-month-old conflict in Ukraine is the biggest in Europe since World War Two, killing tens of thousands of people, driving millions from their homes and reducing cities to ruins.
The Ukrainian Choir Bringing New Meaning To A Classic Holiday Song
NBC News
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdR7rUsPNnA
A classic holiday song, today, the song of survival as Ukraine’s Shchedryk Children Choir performs “Carol Of The Bells” at New York’s Carnegie Hall. The same venue where the Ukrainian song premiered a century ago. The choir’s members reunited this summer after many fled to safer places during the war. Over the last few weeks, they rehearsed in Kyiv, sometimes practicing in a bomb shelter without electricity. Now, the children who’ve been through so much are proving joy and hope can prevail.
My brother performed at that event at carnegie hall with those children
Update on Russian military operations in Ukraine for December 21, 2022:
- Pentagon admits Russia is gaining ground in Bakhmut; - Zelensky visit to Bakhmut mirrors similar visit to Lysychansk before it fell to Russian forces;
- Western media admits Russia has Ukraine outgunned 6 to 1 in Bakhmut;
- Claims that Russian losses are as significant as catastrophic toll Ukraine is suffering in Bakhmut does not reflect reality if Russia outguns Ukraine significantly;
- Bakhmut is a significant transportation hub and a crucial fortified position along one of Ukraine's last major defensive lines in the east;
- The fall of Bakhmut may lead to a similar breakthrough like Popasna;
- Russian forces appear interested in destroying Ukraine's military at Bakhmut more than taking the city itself;