In his traditional address to Ukrainians on Christmas Eve, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said his compatriots have one wish as "the heavens open" on this night — the death of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
"Since ancient times, Ukrainians have believed that, on Christmas night, the heavens open.
And we make one wish – for all of us," Zelenskyy said.
"'May he perish,' each of us may think to ourselves," the Ukrainian leader stated, referring to Putin without naming him.
Since launching its full-scale invasion in early 2022, Russia has used the Christmas period to launch major attacks on Ukraine rather than agree on ceasefires.
Putin ordered his army to observe a ceasefire between 6 and 7 January 2023 — Christmas Eve and Christmas Day according to the Julian calendar, which some Eastern Orthodox churches follow.
Meanwhile, Russia launched 131 drones against Ukraine on Christmas Eve, according to Ukrainian air force. »