Ukrainian soldiers on the war-weary frontlines in Bakhmut have released a video singing adapted versions of Christmas classics including Happy Xmas (War Is Over), Let It Snow and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.
Nine soldiers play in a shelter near the besieged city in eastern Ukraine, against a backdrop of civilian buildings destroyed by Russian invaders. They were also photographed in Lyman, which was liberated last October, and Kostiantynivka, a town fifteen kilometers from the front line.
Inna Korolenko, a combat medic with guitar and vocals for almost two years, said: “During the Christmas holidays, people naturally distance themselves from other people's problems. I would really like this project to make the world understand that the war is not over yet and that it is necessary to get involved in it as much as possible.
“The more supporters we have, the more help will come to us and the faster we will move towards victory.”
The covers feature altered texts “intended to remind people of the ongoing war and the importance of global support for Ukraine,” according to the fundraising platform UNITED24 behind the campaign.
The soldiers are preparing to celebrate Christmas on December 25 this year for the first time since 1917 – a deliberate step away from Russia, which celebrates on January 7 according to the Julian calendar.
The performances seemed to share the Christmas spirit and reminded the audience that the war in Ukraine is not over yet
Dmytro Dudko, a soldier from the 59th OMPBr, plays the saxophone in a battered building in Bakhmut
UNITED24, the platform behind the campaign, was set up by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy as the main platform for raising charitable donations in support of Ukraine.
A total of $502,679,248 was raised through donations from more than 110 countries over a 17-month period, supported by ambassadors including Barbara Streisand, Mark Hamill and Imagine Dragons.
“We wanted to wish the world a Merry Christmas and remind everyone that the war in Ukraine continues,” said Yaroslava Gres, coordinator of UNITED24, explaining the campaign.
'The numbers we selected are real holiday symbols. Some words in the text have been changed. For example, the phrase 'war is over' in John Lennon's 'Happy Xmas (War Is Over)' was changed to 'war is not over.'
The heroes of the Christmas video, made with the support of the Cultural Forces, are servicemen of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, a paramedic of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army and combat medics.
Among them are Oleksandr Remez, a soldier of the 110th OBrTRO, who was injured during the fighting near Lysychansk, and Inna Korolenko, a combat medic from the fire support platoon of the 206th battalion of the Territorial Defense of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Dmytro Romanchuk, a soldier of the 59th OMPBr, who took part in the defense of Kiev, plays the bandura – a traditional Ukrainian instrument – and sings. At the pipe is Mykhailo Adamchak, a paramedic from the Hospitaliers Battalion of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army, musician and frontman of the CORALLY band.
On percussion is Artur Temchenko, a soldier from 110 OBrTRO, actor and drummer. Mykhailo Oliynyk, a soldier of the 59th Military Infantry Brigade, composer and music producer, plays piano and vocals.
Dmytro Dudko, a soldier from the 59th OMPBr, brings his skills to the table on the saxophone.
Also on vocals are Iryna Kosovska, a combat medic of the 3rd motorized infantry platoon of the 1st company of the 10th OGSHBR Edelweiss, and Viktoriya Chudakovska, a soldier of the 59th OMPBr, and Svitlana Cherednychenko, a soloist of the National Exemplary Band of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
Bakhmut has endured a gruesome and protracted battle for the city since last year. After months of fighting, the city, once home to 70,000 people, was embroiled in a web of bleak trench networks late last year as the ground froze and temperatures dropped to -9 degrees Celsius.
Russian forces, supported by mercenaries from the Wagner Group, fought the city of limited strategic value during an eerie winter, leading troops into the attack again and again until they were finally able to overcome Ukrainian resistance.
Dmytro Romanchuk, a soldier of the 59th OMPBr, who took part in the defense of Kiev
Artur Temchenko, a soldier from 110 OBrTRO, actor and drummer, plays percussion
Mykhailo Adamchak, a paramedic of the Hospitaliers Battalion of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army, musician and frontman of the CORALLY band
Fighting has continued in the region since August last year as both sides struggle for control. Last December, President Zelensky admitted that Russia had turned Bakhmut into “burnt ruins” after a brutal bombing campaign.
The slow war of attrition pushed both sides into dark, rain-soaked trenches all winter, shelled by artillery and trapped in close quarter battle (CQB) fighting.
Wagner chief Yevgeny Prigozhin – since murdered – said in May that as many as 20,000 of his troops had been killed so far in the battle for Bakhmut.
Russia and Ukraine do not release official figures on their own victims.