Ukraine's first Christmas on 25 December for over 100 years despite Russian shelling
Ukraine has celebrated Christmas on the 25 December for the first time in over 100 years, despite Russia continuing to shell the country.
The last time Ukraine celebrated Christmas on 25 December, in line with the Gregorian calendar and the rest of the Western world, was in 1917.
It marks a continued shift away from Russia, who celebrate Christmas on 7 January.
However, Russia has continued to target the country with drone and missile strikes.
Moscow launched 31 drones and 2 missiles at Ukraine overnight, with both targeting the south of the country.
28 of the drones were destroyed by Ukrainian air defences, the country's military said.
"As a result of air combat, the Ukrainian Air Force and defence forces destroyed 28 Shahed attack drones in Odesa, Kherson, Mykolaiv, Donetsk, Kirovohrad and Khmelnytskyi regions," Ukraine's Air Forces said on Telegram.
In his Christmas address, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said "for the second year now", Ukrainians have learnt "another dimension" of Christmas.
"This is Christmas in times of full-scale war. Christmas with a different mood, context, and flavor," he said.
"And a family dinner at home is not the same as usual. Because not all of us are at home.
"And not everyone has a home. And it has become much more important not what dishes are on the table, but what people are at the table. And how precious it is to have them around.
"How important it is to stay in touch with those who are not around, who are defending Ukraine now.
"What a relief it is to see a "double tick" on the screen meaning the message was delivered and read. How crucial it is to get a response from them."
Mr Zelensky finished his speech by extending his "Christmas congratulations" to all Ukrainians.
"May the light of faith reign in your souls, the light of hope fill your hearts, and love and prosperity fill your homes," he said.
"As our ancestors used to say and sing: 'Let the sky and the earth bear fruit. Let the sky bear stars, and let the earth bear flowers. God grant it!'
"And as we will say today: 'Let our Ukraine bear victory and peace. God grant it!"
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