Christmas tree in dugout and tears from President's speech: how soldiers celebrated New Year on front

Ukrainians greeted the New Year 2023 amid the war, listening to the sounds of attacks and air defence working. Ukrainian soldiers continued defending our state on New Year’s Eve. 

Journalists from the Ukrainskyi Svidok (Ukrainian Witness) news outlet went to the 5th Separate Assault Regiment, who are currently at the front, in order to celebrate New Year’s Eve with them.

"A Christmas tree in a dugout, attacks on New Year’s Eve and the invincible spirit of Ukrainian soldiers – this is all about celebrating the victorious New Year on the front," the journalists say. 

A video with celebrations with sounds of shooting in the background were posted on the outlet’s YouTube channel.

"There will be victory in 2023, for sure," soldiers say while cutting food for salads. 

The New Year’s menu includes fried meat, special Ukrainian salads, sandwiches with caviar and sprats, herring, mushrooms and sausages. Soldiers known as Poliak and Maister are cooking in the video.

"Guys, go home," they tell the Russians. 

Senia, another soldier, has brought a real fragrant Christmas tree, which was decorated with a garland in the dugout. Someone was watching the Home Alone movie on their phone.

Ukrainian soldiers have also watched President Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s speech - the video shows tears in the eyes of the servicemen. Dandi, Senia, Monakh, Ekvator and Rabbit have attentively listened to the President’s words.

"Ukraine has not lost sons and daughters. Murderers took them. Ukrainians have not lost homes. Terrorists destroyed them. 

The world has not lost peace. Russia destroyed it," the President said from the TV screen. 

The sounds of shooting almost did not abate. Soldiers continued their service forgetting about chiming clocks. 

"Is it New Year’s Eve or what? Henych [someone's patronymic – ed.], Happy New Year," the soldiers say to each other at the stronghold. They call their relatives between attacks. 

"Happy New Year! I wish you happiness, love and peaceful skies. For the war to end soon. And for me to come back. I love, hug and kiss all of you," the defender tells his loved ones.

In the end, all soldiers wished fellow Ukrainians the most important things: strength, patience, the return of their loved ones and victory. 

"Happy New 2023 Year, everyone! I hope it will be better than 2022 was. I wish you, guys, health and patience to do this… Because if we, the men, don't, then no one will… 

We are here, on the front, so that this front does not appear near our homes. We will do everything not to let this invasion approach us," a soldier known as Santa says to his brothers-in-arms. 

"Ukrainians are invincible people. God bless us to defeat Russia and sit on Red Square. The main thing is for us to survive in this war," Monakh laughs. 

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