Russian invasion - War against Ukraine: this is the situation
On Christmas Eve, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed a Christmas message to his compatriots, encouraging them in the face of the Russian war of aggression that has been going on for almost two years. "In the end, darkness will lose. Evil will be defeated," said Selensky in a video message published on Sunday. He added that the whole country prays together on public holidays: "For our freedom. For our victory. For our Ukraine."
The head of state reminded all families who will once again have to celebrate this year without their husbands, sons and fathers who are fighting in the army. And he thanked all Ukrainian soldiers who are spending Christmas in the trenches at the front. Meanwhile, Russia attacked Ukraine again with drones, with explosions reported late in the evening from the Odessa region.
Against the backdrop of the Russian war of aggression, Ukraine has now postponed Orthodox Christmas, which was previously celebrated mainly on January 7, to December 25. Only the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which has long been linked to Moscow, is sticking to the old date.
German service in Kiev
German pastor Wolfgang Heldt-Meyerding has held a Christmas service for the second time in the war-torn Ukrainian capital Kiev. "We are full of longing for peace, it is the second Christmas in which our hearts become tight with the thoughts of hardship and death, pain and grief caused by this war," said the Flensburg native in the German church of St. Katharina in Kiev. In his sermon, Heldt-Meyerding recalled the victims, but also the solidarity of the Ukrainians and the mutual help of the people. The service was held in two languages - German and Ukrainian.
German Christmas sermons address wars
The war in Ukraine - just like the war in Israel - was also the subject of many Christmas sermons in German churches. The conflicts with their thousands of victims were "perceived with increasing horror and horror", said Ruhr Bishop Franz-Josef Overbeck in the evening after a prepared speech text in Essen Cathedral. "It is not only one of the paradoxes, but also one of the abysses of these conflicts that Christians are fighting against Christians in Ukraine with the Russian invasion."
What will be important on Monday
The fighting in Ukraine continues over the Christmas holidays. There are still particularly fierce battles, including around Avdiivka in the Donetsk region.
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- Despite the ongoing Russian war against Ukraine, President Volodymyr Selensky delivered a Christmas message, expressing hope for the country's victory and freedom on Saint's Eve.
- The Ukrainian military was targeted by Russian drone attacks on Christmas Eve, with explosions reported in the Odessa region.
- In response to the war, Ukraine postponed its Orthodox Christmas celebration from January 7 to December 25, except for the Ukrainian Orthodox Church tied to Moscow.
- German pastor Wolfgang Heldt-Meyerding led a Christmas service in Kiev, expressing longing for peace and acknowledging the hardships caused by the war.
- The war in Ukraine was a prominent theme in many German Christmas sermons, highlighting the horror and controversy of Christians fighting against each other during the Russian invasion.
- The fighting in Ukraine persisted over the Christmas holidays, with particularly intense battles around Avdiivka in the Donetsk region.
- Germany, a key ally of Ukraine, has been providing military assistance to help Ukraine defend against the Russian invasion.
- The international community has criticized Russia's actions, urging for an end to the war and the respect of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
Source: www.stern.de
