Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy made a surprise trip to the eastern Ukrainian city of Bakhmut, where fighting has been going on for months. “He visited the front positions, rewarded fighters with medals and gifts,” his spokesman said on Tuesday. Meanwhile, a “Christmas tree of invincibility” was erected in the capital Kiev.
Bakhmut is in Donetsk, one of four Ukrainian regions that Russian President Vladimir Putin declared annexed in September. However, the regions are only partially controlled by Russian forces. Russian troops have been trying to take the city since the summer – so far without success. While Russian troops claim cities and areas on the outskirts of the city, the Ukrainians would control the city itself and parts of its surroundings. Selenskyj had described Bakhmut as the “hottest point” along the more than 800-mile (1,300 km) front as recently as Monday.
Fighting in Sumy region, dead in Donetsk
Ukraine is currently reporting heavy fighting in the northeastern Sumy region. There, 83 Russian attacks with grenade launchers, drones and rocket-propelled grenades are said to have taken place on numerous cities. At least three people have been reported killed in Russian shelling of the Donetsk region in recent days, with two more reported dead from the southern Kherson region.
“Serious voltage fluctuations” in Kiev: the subway is at a standstill
In Kiev, people continue to struggle with electricity supply problems. Parts of the metro system were temporarily shut down on Tuesday, Mayor Vitali Klitschko announced. The cause is “strong voltage fluctuations”. Due to an emergency shutdown of the pumps, the water supply in the entire city area was also cut off. In connection with this, there were also failures of the district heating at temperatures around freezing point.
Klitschko: “Don’t Let Russia Steal” Holidays
Still, a 40-foot-tall Christmas tree was unveiled in the center of the capital on Monday evening – as a symbol that Ukraine did not want the holidays “stealed” by Russia. “We will not give them a chance to steal the most important holidays, New Year’s Eve, from our children,” Klitschko said. “We have christened it the ‘Christmas tree of Ukraine’s invincibility’.”
The artificial tree is decorated with white doves of peace and illuminated in the colors of the Ukrainian flag – blue and yellow. At the top is the country’s coat of arms, a golden trident. The city was hesitant to put up the boom, Klitschko said — not least because of the power problems caused by the Russian wave of attacks. In any case, everything will be done to give Ukrainian children a nice party despite the difficult times, the mayor promised.
Source: Krone
I am Wallace Jones, an experienced journalist. I specialize in writing for the world section of Today Times Live. With over a decade of experience, I have developed an eye for detail when it comes to reporting on local and global stories. My passion lies in uncovering the truth through my investigative skills and creating thought-provoking content that resonates with readers worldwide.
