Ukraine Reports Downing Russian Aircraft and Drones During Christmas Celebrations

34

On Monday, as Ukraine officially celebrated Christmas for the first time on December 25, its air force announced the successful interception of two Russian fighter jets, along with two cruise missiles and a majority of 28 Shahed-type drones during nighttime operations. The targets were reportedly aimed at Ukraine’s southern and central regions. Although 31 drones were launched in total, the fate of the three that evaded interception remains undisclosed.

The Ukrainian presidential office released a statement indicating that Russian offensives in the past 24 hours led to one civilian fatality and at least four injuries. The casualty occurred in Chornobaivka, a town in the Kherson region, which is partially controlled by Russia and is a frequent site of combat.

This year marks a significant shift for Ukraine, as it observes Christmas on December 25 instead of the traditional January 7, a date observed by several Orthodox countries, including Russia. This change stems from a law enacted by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy in July.

Ukraine, primarily an Orthodox Christian nation, is home to two main Orthodox churches. The Orthodox Church of Ukraine, historically independent of the Russian Orthodox Church’s authority and once considered schismatic, received official recognition from the Ecumenical Patriarch of Constantinople in 2018. In contrast, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, formerly a subsidiary of the Russian Orthodox Church, declared its autonomy in 2022 following the outbreak of the Russia-Ukraine conflict. Despite this, it continues to adhere to the Russian church’s liturgical calendar and will celebrate Christmas on January 7.

---

For more detailed coverage of the ongoing conflict, visit AP’s war coverage.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Ukraine Christmas Conflict

More about Ukraine Christmas Conflict

• Ukraine’s Air Defense Success
• Shift in Ukraine’s Christmas Celebration
• Civilian Impact of Russian Attacks in Ukraine
• Legislation for Ukraine’s Christmas Date Change
• Orthodox Church Dynamics in Ukraine