Russia Heavy fighting instead of Christmas truce in Ukraine
The Russian armed forces continue to put the Ukrainian military under heavy pressure. Kiev's troops had to withdraw from the strategically important city of Sivorsk in the north of the Donetsk region.
24.12.2025, 04:07
24.12.2025, 04:08
SDA
Fierce fighting continued to rage in the area around the town, the General Staff announced on Facebook. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky complained of Russian cynicism in the face of heavy air strikes just before Christmas.
Siversk had more than 10,000 inhabitants before the start of the Russian war of aggression almost four years ago. For a long time, the section of the front there was considered relatively stable, but recently the pressure from the Russian attackers has increased. The city is considered strategically important because it is part of a defensive line that protects the last large conurbation controlled by Ukrainian forces in the Donbass. Following the fall of Siversk, Russian attackers can now advance further towards the cities of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk.
The Ukrainian General Staff announced the following about Sivorsk: "In order to protect the lives of our soldiers and the fighting strength of the units, the Ukrainian defenders have withdrawn from the town."
Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin had already announced the capture of the town almost two weeks ago at a partially broadcast meeting with Chief of the General Staff Valery Gerasimov. Kiev denied this at the time.
Zelensky complains of heavy attacks on energy system
Following heavy attacks on the Chernihiv region, in which energy supply infrastructure was damaged, Zelensky accused Russia of cynicism. "Of course the Russians are also trying to destroy this festival and this holy day," he said in his evening video message on Tuesday. Ukraine therefore needs support, especially in terms of air defense - both on holidays and on weekdays.
Last week, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz (CDU) called on Putin for a ceasefire in Ukraine over Christmas.
Unlike in previous years, Ukraine now officially celebrates Christmas according to Western custom. However, many Ukrainian Christians continue to follow the Orthodox tradition of celebrating Christmas on January 7, as in Russia.
Ukrainian negotiating team is back
Selensky also reported on the progress of the talks for a peace solution. The Ukrainian negotiating team had returned from the USA and had made progress towards an agreement to end the war. He did not give any details. "Ukraine will never be an obstacle to peace," said Selensky. At the same time, he warned that Russia could blow up the diplomatic process.
Moscow and Kiev are not negotiating directly with each other. The delegations of both countries are consulting with American mediators in order to assert their respective positions. The most recent talks lasted several days in Miami.
Russia revokes citizenship of critical journalist
Meanwhile, Russia is stepping up its crackdown on war critics. The authorities revoked the citizenship of journalist Roman Anin for allegedly discrediting the armed forces. According to the state news agency Tass, the reason for this was crimes committed by Anin.
Anin is editor-in-chief of the internet portal "Waschnyje Istorii" ("Important Stories"). Among other things, his research into the alleged daughter of Kremlin leader Vladimir Putin and his involvement in the international project to expose tax havens, known as the "Pandora Papers", caused a stir. Anin was sentenced in absentia at the end of March to 8.5 years in prison for "knowingly spreading false information about the Russian armed forces".
