President Volodymyr Zelensky addressed Ukrainians on Christmas Eve, drawing on a traditional belief that the heavens open on the night before Christmas and that people are granted a single wish.
“‘May he perish,’ each of us may think to ourselves,” Zelensky said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin. He added that when Ukrainians turn to God, they ask for something greater.
“We ask for peace for Ukraine. We fight for it. And we pray for it. And we deserve it,” Zelensky said. He spoke of hopes for families to live in harmony and for children to experience joy, smiles, and faith in goodness and miracles.
Zelensky said Ukrainians also wish for goodness and truth to prevail. “That there may be a victory of peace. That there may be us. And that there may be Ukraine,” he said.
His address came as Russian attacks continued in the days leading up to the holidays. On Dec. 23, at least three people were killed and 12 others injured in an assault involving at least 635 drones and 38 missiles. The strikes again targeted energy infrastructure, leaving the western regions of Rivne, Ternopil, and Khmelnytskyi almost completely without electricity, according to Ukraine’s Energy Ministry.
Speaking about the attacks, Zelensky said Russia had shown its true nature on the eve of Christmas. He said the strikes included drones, ballistic missiles, and Kinzhal missiles. “This is how the godless strike,” he said, adding that such actions had nothing to do with Christianity or humanity.
Zelensky said Ukrainians continue to support one another and used the address to pray for those on the front lines to return alive, for prisoners of war to come home, and for those who died defending Ukraine.
