Ukrainian soldiers on the war-weary front in Bakhmut have released a video in which they sing modified versions of Christmas classics, including Happy Xmas (War Is Over), Let It Snow and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.
Nine soldiers stand in a dugout near the besieged city in eastern Ukraine against the backdrop of civilian buildings destroyed by Russian invaders. They were also photographed in Lyman, which was liberated last October, and Kostiantynivka, a town nine miles from the front line.
Inna Korolenko, who has been working as a combat medic on guitar and vocals for almost two years, said: “During the Christmas holidays, people naturally distance themselves from other people's problems.” I would very much like this project to make it clear to the world that the war is not over yet and that it is necessary to get involved as much as possible.
“The more supporters we have, the more help we receive and the faster we move towards victory.”
According to fundraising platform UNITED24, which is behind the campaign, the covers feature altered text “designed to remind people of the ongoing war and the importance of global support for Ukraine.”
Soldiers are preparing to celebrate Christmas on December 25 this year for the first time since 1917 – a conscious departure from Russia, which celebrates on January 7 according to the Julian calendar.
The performances were intended to spread Christmas cheer while reminding audiences that the war in Ukraine is not yet over
Dmytro Dudko, a soldier with the 59th OMPBr, plays the saxophone in a dilapidated building in Bakhmut
UNITED24, the platform behind the campaign, was established by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky as the main platform for raising charitable donations in support of Ukraine.
Over 17 months, a total of $502,679,248 was raised through donations from over 110 countries, supported by ambassadors including Barbara Streisand, Mark Hamill and Imagine Dragons.
Why did Ukraine postpone Christmas Day?
This year, Ukraine celebrates Christmas on December 25th for the first time since 1917.
The move is a conscious attempt to distance itself from Russia, which celebrates January 7 according to the Julian calendar.
While many Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25th, many also celebrate on December 24th – and Orthodox Christians celebrate it on January 7th.
The introduction of the Gregorian calendar is also seen as an attempt by Kiev to align itself with Europe and its institutions.
England switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1752 and the days were then removed to make up for the difference with the Julian celebration of Christmas.
Many, including Russia, rejected the change as it swept the West.
“We wanted to wish the world a Merry Christmas and at the same time remind everyone that the war in Ukraine continues,” Yaroslava Gres, UNITED24 coordinator, explained the campaign.
“The songs we have chosen are true holiday symbols.” Some words in the lyrics have been changed. For example, the phrase “The war is over” in John Lennon's “Happy Xmas (War Is Over)” was changed to “The war is not over yet.”
The heroes of the Christmas video, created with the support of the Cultural Forces, are soldiers of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a medic of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army and combat medics.
They include Oleksandr Remez, a soldier of the 110th OBrTRO, who was wounded in the fighting near Lysychansk, and Inna Korolenko, a combat medic of the fire support platoon of the 206th Territorial Defense Battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Dmytro Romanchuk, a soldier of the 59th OMPBr who took part in the defense of Kiev, plays the bandura – a traditional Ukrainian instrument – and vocals. On the whistle is Mykhailo Adamchak, medic of the Hospitallers Battalion of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army, musician and frontman of the band CORALLY.
Artur Temchenko, a soldier of the 110 OBrTRO, actor and drummer, sits on the drums. Mykhailo Oliynyk, 59th Military Infantry Brigade soldier, composer and music producer, plays piano and vocals.
Dmytro Dudko, a soldier with the 59th OMPBr, brings his skills on the saxophone.
Also singing are Iryna Kosovska, a combat medic from the 3rd Motorized Infantry Platoon of the 1st Company of the 10th OGSHBR Edelweiss, and Viktoriya Chudakovska, a soldier from the 59th OMPBr, and Svitlana Cherednychenko, a soloist from the National Exemplary Band of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Bakhmut has endured a terrible and protracted battle for the city since last year. After months of fighting, the city that was once home to 70,000 people was stuck in a network of desolate trenches late last year as the ground froze and temperatures plummeted to as low as -9C.
Russian forces, supported by mercenaries from the Wagner Group, fought for the city of limited strategic value throughout a grisly winter, repeatedly sending troops into the advance until they were finally able to overcome Ukrainian resistance.
Dmytro Romanchuk, a soldier of the 59th OMPBr who took part in the defense of Kiev
Artur Temchenko, soldier of the 110 OBrTRO, actor and drummer, plays the drums
Mykhailo Adamchak, medic of the Hospitallers Battalion of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army, musician and frontman of the band CORALLY
Fighting has been ongoing in the region since August last year as both sides struggle for control. Last December, President Zelensky admitted that Russia had reduced Bakhmut to “scorched ruins” after a relentless bombing campaign.
The slow war of attrition pushed both sides into murky, waterlogged trenches, under artillery fire, and engaged in close quarters combat (CQB) throughout the winter.
The now-killed Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin said in May that up to 20,000 of his troops had been killed fighting for Bakhmut to date.
Russia and Ukraine do not publish official figures on their own casualties.