Putin has cancelled Christmas across Russia over fears of Ukrainian attacks across the country amid the ongoing war.
Christmas and New Years celebrations have been annulled in three Russian border regions as Moscow is fearful of “terrorist strikes” occurring during the period.
The regions – including occupied Crimea – have suspended any festivities involving large crowds or fireworks.
Russian festive celebrations begin on December 31 and then continue onto January 7, which the Orthodox calendar marks as Christmas day.
WATCH NOW: Ukraine strikes on Crimea
Presents are traditionally exchanged on midnight on December 31 and Grandfather Frost – Russia’s equivalent of Father Christmas – also makes an appearance.
However, the Christmas traditions will be suspended this year, as Sergey Aksyonov, occupation ruler of Crimea, said: “There are no plans to hold large public events in the republic of Crimea for the New Year and Christmas.
“The main priority is safety – but, of course, we will do everything necessary to create a festive mood for Crimeans.
“New Year holidays for children will be held in a limited format. Christmas trees will be installed, and the streets will be decorated in public areas.”
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An Orthodox priest blesses an installation depicting a map of Russia with Russian-controlled regions of Ukraine on National Unity Day, in Simferopol, Crimea, November 4, 2023
Reuters
The “terrorist strikes” from Ukraine are expected as Kyiv tries to regain its territory in Crimea, which the Russians took from them in 2014.
Alongside Crimea, Kursk and Belgorod have also banned fireworks across the festive period.
The border regions have all been hit with attacks by the Ukrainian army as they step up their counter-offensive effort.
Other regions in Russia are expected to follow suit in cancelling holiday festivities.
It comes as Russia and Ukraine are clashing for position as the difficult winter period is about to begin.
Ukraine have been upping their counter-offensive efforts since summer
Reuters
Ukraine continues to mount a counter-offensiveReutersUkraine has recently increased its up strikes targeting “Russian military, logistics, and other high-profile assets in rear areas in occupied in Ukraine and Russia”.
Meanwhile, according to the Institute for the Study of War (ISW) which is covering the conflict, Russian forces are continuing to attack near Bakhmut in strikes over the weekend.
Last month, Ukrainian troops disseminated Russian forces after Vladimir Putin’s latest push to topple the ex-Soviet state fails.
Russia’s frontal assault in eastern Ukraine has initially resulted in huge losses, Kyiv has claimed.
Footage showed Ukrainian artillery hitting multiple columns of armoured Russia personnel carriers.
Ukraine claimed Russia lost 127 tanks, 239 APCs and 161 artillery systems.
