Russian invasionRussian reactions

 

In Ukraine, the air raid warning sounded several times during the Christmas holiday, which, however, did not prevent many Ukrainians from gathering in the church. AP Photo/Felipe Dana 

Russian invasionRussian reactions  

Ukraine on Russian ceasefire: Hypocrisy  

The Russian decision for a ceasefire during the Orthodox Christmas celebrations this weekend is being met with indifference from Ukraine.  

"Keep your hypocrisy to yourselves," writes President Zelensky's advisor Mychajlo Podoljak on Twitter.

In a statement earlier Thursday, Patriarch Kirill, the church's supreme leader, called for a truce in favor of Christmas celebrations. Later, his wish was granted by President Vladimir Putin.  

Mychajlo Podoljak points out that Ukraine made a similar request to Russia ahead of December 25 — a request that Russia answered with bombings. 

A girl lights a candle during the Orthodox Christmas celebration in Russia last year. Musa Sadulayev / AP 

Russian invasionRussian reactions  

The Kremlin announces a ceasefire in Ukraine starting tomorrow  

Russia wants a ceasefire in Ukraine from noon tomorrow and 36 hours ahead, the Reuters news agency says, referring to the Kremlin. The order should come from President Vladimir Putin and concern the Russian forces, according to AP.  

It is the first time since the start of the war that the Russian side has called for a ceasefire. The play comes less than a day before the start of Orthodox Christmas - which concerns many Russian believers.

The head of the Russian Orthodox Church, Patriarch Kirill, called for the ceasefire earlier on Thursday.  

Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on January 7 because they use the Julian calendar, which is thirteen days after the Gregorian calendar. the invasion

A Ukrainian woman is immortalized in front of one of Banksy's works. Andrew Kravchenko/AP  

Russian invasionUkraine's response 

Banksy causes trouble in Ukraine: Who owns the works?  

Last winter, the artist Banksy received attention for his street art on seven war-damaged buildings in and around Kyiv, Ukraine. But art does not only bring joy, The Guardian states.  

Because of their value — both financial and emotional — authorities now don't know how to deal with the damaged buildings he decorated.  

The matter has been brought to a head since five men were caught red-handed while they were in the process of breaking free one of the works of art. 

- He realized the object's value and planned to sell the graffiti in ways that suited him, the police said of the suspected ringleader.  

The consequent question, however, is who owns the works of art, which are estimated to have a value of several million Swedish kronor, and which partly decorate properties that were to be demolished. 

- I think they should be preserved, says Minister of Culture Katerina Chuyeva. The artistic expression is extremely powerful.