Day 318 of the Invasion of Ukraine: Attacks continue despite Christmas and the “Ceasefire”

Here are the highlights of events related to the war in Ukraine over the past 24 hours:

Ukraine celebrates Christmas, the shelling does not stop

Ukraine celebrates Christmas, the first since the beginning of the war.

The unilateral ceasefire announced by the Russian president took place at noon yesterday. But according to information from journalists, it was violated by both sides. There was shelling near Bakhmut - the city for which battles have been going on for months. Ukraine claims that there were also Russian strikes against Kramatorsk.

Today, for the first time in 300 years, the Nativity Liturgy in the Assumption Cathedral of the Kyiv Pechersk Lavra will be celebrated by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, which broke away from the Moscow Patriarchate 5 years ago.

Putin was alone at a holiday service in the Kremlin cathedral

Russian President Vladimir Putin attended a holiday service of the Orthodox Church in the Kremlin cathedral alone, instead of joining other worshipers in a public celebration, Reuters reported, citing BTA.

Russian news agency RIA Novosti reported that for the first time in years, Putin celebrated Christmas Eve in Moscow and not in the region around the capital. State television showed two live clips showing Putin inside the Annunciation Cathedral as Orthodox priests conducted the midnight service.

Countries with a predominant Orthodox belief, including Russia, Ukraine, Serbia, Montenegro, the Republic of North Macedonia, celebrate the Nativity of Christ today, according to the Julian calendar.

In the video, Putin, wearing a blue jacket and a white turtleneck, was the only worshiper. The Russian president was seen crossing himself several times...