Zelenskyy sends Christmas message to Ukrainians as Russians pummel south

Lviv, Ukraine, Dec 25 (EFE).- President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has sent Christmas wishes to Ukrainians amid continued Russian missiles strikes.

“We will see its (Christmas) glow even underground in a bomb shelter. We will fill our hearts with warmth and light,” the Ukrainian leader said in his message late Saturday.

“No Kinzhal missile can hurt them. They will break against our steel spirit. And our struggle will continue without stopping. It is not threatened by planned or emergency blackouts. And we will never feel a shortage of courage and indomitability,” he added.

Zelenskyy highlighted that Ukrainians have experienced “a lot of bitter news” since the beginning of the Russian invasion on February 24, adding that this Christmas they will “sing Christmas carols – cheerier than ever – louder than the sound of a generator.”

“We will hear the voices and greetings of relatives – in our hearts – even if communication service and the Internet are down. And even in total darkness – we will find each other – to hug each other tightly. And if there is no heat, we will give a big hug to warm each other,” he continued.

Meanwhile in Kherson, Ukrainian officials reported Sunday that 16 civilians had died and 64 others wounded over the past 24 hours following Russian missile attacks on the central part of the southern city.

“Russian occupiers opened fire on the Kherson region 71 times. They struck with artillery, multiple launch rocket systems and mortars,” head of the Kherson regional military administration, Yaroslav Yanushevich, wrote on Telegram.

“The enemy attacked the regional center 41 times. Downtown Kherson came under extensive enemy fire: civilians were killed and buildings destroyed. The enemy shelling also affected industrial premises, health facilities, detached houses and apartment blocks,” he said.

Among the fatalities were three state emergency services personnel who were carrying out demining work in the Beryslav district, Yanushevich pointed out.

Many areas in Kherson have been covered in mines planted by Russian troops, according to regional authorities.

The southern city was retaken by Ukrainian forces on November 11, but part of the region on the other bank of the Dnipro River remains under Russian control.EFE

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