As 2022 draws to a close, what’s the situation in Ukraine?

Civilians prepare for a Christmas like no other

Listen | 23:24
Emergency State Service workers prepare for Christmas in the Bakhmut district of eastern Ukraine, where the city and outlying areas continue to come under Russian attack, on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. Photograph: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times.
Emergency State Service workers prepare for Christmas in the Bakhmut district of eastern Ukraine, where the city and outlying areas continue to come under Russian attack, on Friday, Dec. 16, 2022. Photograph: Tyler Hicks/The New York Times.

Christmas Eve will mark 10 months to the day since Russia attempted its all-out invasion of Ukraine. Though bombardment from the air continues, there has been somewhat of a stalemate on the frontline as the ground freezes over, making advances difficult.

The winter has been weaponised as Vladimir Putin orders attacks on critical infrastructure, leaving entire towns and cities without water or heat.

Dan McLaughlin is reporting from Ukraine for The Irish Times. He tells In The News that Ukrainians’ resolve remains intact despite the missile strikes that have intensified in recent days.

“Day to day the practicalities are very hard. It will be a completely different type of Christmas but they will do their best to celebrate the fact that Ukraine is still here and it hasn’t been wiped off the map as perhaps Russia intended.”

READ MORE

Presented by Aideen Finnegan