The Kyiv Independent

2022-12-25 19:29:49 Foreign leaders voice support for Ukrainians as they celebrate Christmas despite Russia's war

Foreign leaders have voiced their support for Ukraine in their Christmas messages as the Ukrainians are facing their most difficult winter holidays in the country's independent history. Open / Comment

2022-12-25 17:32:12 Putin claims readiness for negotiations, blames West for refusing to talk.

Russian dictator Vladimir Putin claimed on Dec. 25 that the Kremlin was “ready to negotiate with everyone involved” to reach what it views as “acceptable solutions” for its brutal war against Ukraine.

He reiterated that Russia would continue waging the war until its objectives were achieved. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian authorities have has said that Ukraine would fight until a complete Russian withdrawal from its territory, including the Donbas and the Crimean peninsula. Open / Comment

2022-12-25 16:28:46 Mayor: 3 Russian missiles hit Kramatorsk, no injuries reported.

Russian troops fired three missiles at an industrial zone in the city of Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast on Dec. 25, but there are no casualties so far, Kramatorsk Mayor Oleksandr Honcharenko reported. Open / Comment

2022-12-25 15:15:12 Pope Francis calls to end 'senseless' war in Ukraine in Christmas address.

“May the Lord inspire us to offer concrete gestures of solidarity to assist all those who are suffering, and may he enlighten the minds of those who have the power to silence the thunder of weapons and put an immediate end to this senseless war,” he said. Open / Comment

2022-12-25 06:16:23 ISW: Russia's advances in Bakhmut likely slowed in recent days.

Russia's advances near Bakhmut in Donetsk Oblast have likely slowed in recent days, although it is too early to tell if Russia's efforts to take the city are reaching their end, the Institute for the Study of War said in its latest update. Open / Comment

2022-12-25 03:54:25 UN: At least 6,826 civilians killed by Russia's war against Ukraine.

According to the United Nations human rights agency, Russia's war against Ukraine has killed at least 6,826 civilians and injured at least 10,769 from Feb. 24 through Dec. 19.

The agency said the actual figures are likely considerably higher since the information from some places is delayed, and many reports of civilian casualties still need to be confirmed.

Per Ukraine's Interior Ministry estimates, Russia's war has killed over 9,000 civilians, including more than 400 children. Open / Comment

2022-12-25 02:58:40 3 emergency workers killed demining in Kherson Oblast.

The workers had gone to Kherson Oblast to assist with the demining process after parts of the oblast were liberated by Ukrainian forces, the State Emergency Service of Ukraine said in a Facebook post.

They were killed by Russian mines that exploded during the demining process, according to the post. Open / Comment

2022-12-25 02:24:27 Orthodox church, Greek Catholics to consider revising religious calendars.

Until recently, both the Orthodox Church of Ukraine and Ukrainian Greek Catholics had used only the Julian calendar, which is also used by the Russian Orthodox Church. Roman Catholics use the Gregorian calendar, while the Ecumenical Patriarchate of Constantinople and most other autocephalous (independent) Orthodox churches use the revised Julian calendar, which currently coincides with the Gregorian calendar. Open / Comment

2022-12-25 01:29:31 Top EU official: ‘Putin has already lost, just like Hitler in 1943’.

Russia has become a complete outcast on the international stage, Frans Timmermans, a vice-president of the European Commission, told Flemish newspaper Het Nieuwsblad.

"Hitler also lost the war in late 1943 but the war lasted two more years," he said. Open / Comment

2022-12-25 01:25:32 General Staff: Ukrainian forces hit Russian personnel concentration areas.

Ukraine’s rocket and artillery forces have hit two Russian personnel concentration areas and an S-300 missile system, the General Staff of Ukraine's Armed Forces said in an update on Dec. 24.

The Ukrainian Air Force struck Russian troops, weapons, and military equipment three times, the General Staff said. Open / Comment