Politics Russia attacks at Christmas - Selenskyj's new appeal
At least one person has been killed and around a dozen others injured in a new Russian missile attack on the south-eastern Ukrainian town of Kryvyi Rih.
25.12.2024, 05:34
SDA
A woman was rescued alive from the rubble of a house hit by Russian missiles on Christmas Eve, the city's military administration announced. By the evening, the number of injured was at least 15, 14 of whom were in hospital.
"Russians are murderers", wrote the head of the presidential administration, Andriy Yermak, on the Telegram platform with a photo of a destroyed house. Nothing is sacred to the Russians, they show no humanity. President Volodymyr Zelensky's hometown has repeatedly been the target of destructive missile and drone attacks in the past.
Selenskyj: "Christmas unites all Ukrainians"
The new Russian attack shattered the country's Christmas celebrations. In Ukraine, many people celebrated Christmas in the Western style, following the example of the leadership striving to join the EU and NATO. The custom was introduced as part of the defensive struggle against the Russian war of aggression. Nevertheless, many people in Ukraine continue to give each other presents under the Christmas tree on New Year's Eve in accordance with a long tradition and celebrate Orthodox Christmas on the night of January 7, as they do in Russia.
In his Christmas address, President Zelensky praised the fact that Ukrainians now celebrate like people in the West. "Christmas unites all Ukrainians," he said in his evening video address. "Today we stand side by side," he said. "And as long as we do that, evil has no chance," Selensky continued. "We want peace," he emphasized. The Christmas star should shine over the country - and Iranian-made drones and missiles should not strike.
In his speech, the Ukrainian president also mentioned the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, which Russian troops could soon capture. According to his speech, Zelensky hopes that this will not happen. At the same time, he expressed the hope that the soldiers fighting for Ukraine would return home alive.
Ukraine is experiencing its third winter of war. The country has been defending itself against the Russian war of aggression with Western help since February 2022.
Kremlin sees no interest in negotiations in Kiev
Russian troops, meanwhile, continue to see themselves on the advance and want to capture as many towns and villages as possible before possible negotiations. As the Ukrinform agency reports, the situation in the area around the permanent flashpoint of Torezk is particularly difficult. Russia would now deploy technical equipment such as armored vehicles there.
On Wednesday night, the Ukrainian air force reported the take-off of "Tu-95 MS" fighter jets from the Murmansk region in north-western Russia towards the south. The Ukrainian population was urged to respond immediately to the air alarm signals.
Meanwhile, the Kremlin in Moscow once again accused Kiev of refusing to negotiate a solution to the conflict. As Ukraine is showing no willingness to talk, Russia is continuing to pursue its war aims, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. "We see the momentum, it speaks for itself. So we are continuing to move forward," he said. The country invaded by Russia lost control of numerous localities this year.
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin had also recently declared that he was prepared to make compromises in the conflict. However, he left open what he meant by this. Putin had annexed the regions of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk, although he does not control them completely. Among other things, he is demanding that Ukraine relinquish its territories. In addition, the country should remain non-aligned and refrain from joining NATO.
Selensky categorically rejects all of these Russian demands. The two parties to the conflict repeatedly accuse each other of having no real interest in negotiating a solution to the conflict.
