In-between messages about family and faith, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky discussed the “Godless” and inhuman Russians, stating “we share one dream” in a clear reference to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, delivered his customary Christmas Eve address on Wednesday night — in many Eastern European countries, Christmas Eve is as culturally significant, if not more so than Christmas day — in which he spoke of “love for our homes, our roots, our traditions”, the birth of Jesus Christ, and the Russian invader.
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)
Speaking of the war, Zelensky noted: “for the fourth year in a row there have been attempts to take [Christmas] away from us, and that is exactly what we are defending today, our land, our families, 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”.
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)
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