Share and Follow
In a poignant Christmas Eve message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky intertwined themes of family, faith, and resilience, as he addressed his nation amid ongoing tensions with Russia. With veiled references to Russian President Vladimir Putin, Zelensky remarked on a shared dream, highlighting the stark contrast between Ukraine’s values and the actions of their adversaries.
On this significant evening, which holds profound cultural importance in Eastern Europe, Zelensky’s address resonated with messages of love for one’s homeland, traditions, and the birth of Jesus Christ. Traditionally, Ukrainians celebrated Christmas on January 7th, in accordance with the Julian calendar observed by the Orthodox Church. However, in 2023, the nation transitioned to celebrating on December 25th, distancing their Christmas from that of the Russian invaders. Reflecting on this change, Zelensky noted, “Millions of us will wait for the first star in the sky tonight… Ukrainians are together tonight, marking Christmas on the same date as one big family.”
Amid the festive backdrop, Zelensky also addressed the grim realities of war. He spoke of the ongoing struggle for peace and the defense of Ukrainian homes and values. “For the fourth year in a row, there have been attempts to take [Christmas] away from us,” he said. “We are defending our land, our families, and that longed-for feeling of peace and calm in our own home… despite all the suffering Russia has brought, it is not capable of bombing what matters most, our Ukrainian heart.”
CHERNIHIV, UKRAINE – DECEMBER 24: Chernihiv activists from the âVolontery Pivnichâ volunteer organization, dressed in traditional Ukrainian Christmas costumes, perform carols (Photo by Maksym Kishka/Anadolu via Getty Images)
His remarks came in the wake of fresh air strikes launched by Russia overnight into Christmas Eve, which Zelensky cited as further evidence of Russia’s godlessness and inhumanity. He declared, “On the eve of Christmas, the Russians once again showed us who they truly are: massive shelling, hundreds of drones, and ballistic missiles… this is how the Godless strike. This is how those act who have absolutely nothing in common with Christianity or anything human, but we are holding on.”
Russia launched further air strikes overnight into Wednesday, the morning of Christmas Eve, and Zelensky cited these attacks as as proof of Russia’s Godlesness and inhumanity. He said: “on the eve of Christmas the Russians once again showed us who they truly are, massive shelling, hundreds of drones and ballistic missiles… this is how the Godless strike. This is how those act who have absolutely nothing in common with Christianity or anything human, but we are holding on”.
Although he did not mention the President of the Russian Federation by name, he made what appeared to be an implicit reference, stating that Ukrainians were praying for the death of Vladimir Putin. Again referring to the Eastern European tradition of Christmas beginning with young people watching the sky for the first star on Christmas Eve, he said: “since ancient times, Ukrainians have believed on Christmas night that the heavens open and if you tell them your dream, it will surely come true. Today we share one dream, and we make one wish for all of us. ‘May he perish’, each of us may think to ourselves.”
A subdeacon carries a golden cross in front of the altar during the Christmas Divine Liturgy at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery in Kyiv, Ukraine (Photo by Daniel Yovkov / Hans Lucas / AFP via Getty Images)
These remarks were tempered, however, with Zelensky saying Ukrainians also turned to God to ask for “something greater, we ask for peace in Ukraine”.
The war continued overnight into Christmas day, with over 130 Russian drones reported to have struck. While a comparatively modest barrage compared to some of Russia’s enormous air raids of the past year, nevertheless at least two people are said to have been killed with dozens injured.
Russia, for their part, said Ukraine also attacked them overnight into the morning, stating their air defence intercepted 141 Ukrainian drones. The Kremlin said one person was injured and two fuel tanks were burnt.
A woman holds a Fir Tree better known as a Christmas tree at a street market near damaged buildings in Kyiv on Christmas Eve celebrations on December 24, 2025, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. (Photo by Tetiana DZHAFAROVA / AFP via Getty Images)
