Klitschko reveals Christmas plans for Kyiv despite rocket fire - "Don't take St. Nicholas away from children"

Created: 11/29/2022, 7:46 p.m

By: Marcus Giebel

A picture from better days: On the world-famous Sophia Square in Kyiv, a large tree with thousands of lights traditionally shone at Christmas and attracted the crowds.

© IMAGO / Ukrinform

In the Ukraine war, Vladimir Putin's main goal was to capture Kyiv.

Now he's bombing the capital.

It's supposed to be a bit of Christmas there.

Munich – The corona pandemic spoiled the Christmas season twice in a row.

While most countries are currently preparing for the holidays as they used to be, Ukraine is facing a sad celebration of love.

Because of the Ukraine war, relaxing hours with loved ones is out of the question.

Despite the state of emergency, Christmas should not be canceled completely, as Vitali Klitschko

emphasized in an interview with

There, the mayor of Kyiv stated that events with crowds are not possible: "But nobody will cancel New Year's Eve and Christmas, and the atmosphere of a New Year should be felt.

We must not let Putin steal Christmas from us.”

Ukraine war and Kyiv: "Putin wants to destroy our energy system"

The plan is to put up Christmas trees in public places: "We don't want to take Santa Claus away from the children." According to the energy company "Yasno", however, there would be no lighting.

Understandable, because recently the country's capital was again the target of Russian rocket attacks.

Especially in winter, the power grid could quickly become overloaded, especially since the attacks ordered by Russia's President Vladimir Putin often damage critical infrastructure.

"Putin's desire and goal of these attacks is to destroy our energy system," Klitschko fumes: "For him, the best scenario is that we all pack our bags and go somewhere, leave the country, go west, and he can go to invade our homes and take our places, our lands without any obstacles.

This is his dream.”

Video: Heating tents and wood stoves - struggle for survival in Ukraine

Ukraine war and the rocket attacks: Klitschko speaks of "terrorism"

So far, 650 buildings have been destroyed in Kyiv, 220 of which were residential buildings.

According to Klitschko, 150 people were killed, including four children.

The former world boxing champion does not expect Putin to change his tactics any time soon, because: "Russia cannot win on the battlefield."

For the 51-year-old, the approach with all the destructiveness is “terrorism.

The goal of Russia is to do everything to make this our last winter.

Our goal is for this winter to be the last for the number one terrorist.”

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War in Ukraine and the West: “Partners must not see this as routine”

However, Ukraine is dependent on further support.

Which is why Klitschko is also clear that the allies must always be made aware of the exceptional situation that Putin is currently conjuring up: "We must do everything to prevent our partners in Europe and the United States from seeing the war in Ukraine as routine .

I keep emphasizing that economic and political security in Europe depends on the largest country in Europe - Ukraine.”

Meanwhile, Kyiv, home to at least 200,000 citizens from other bombed parts of the country, is preparing for what is probably the worst time of the war.

There are already 430 heating points in the metropolis, where heat, water, telecommunications and internet access are available.

In an emergency, 100 more could be provided.

Hospitals, kindergartens and schools would be operated with electricity generators.

At least wants to see Christmas trees in Kyiv: Mayor Vitali Klitschko thinks above all of the children.

© IMAGO / Ukrinform

Ukraine war and no end: "Next year celebrate the New Year under a peaceful sky"

Despite everything, the word evacuation keeps haunting people's minds.

"We have to be prepared for different scenarios, including bad ones," Klitschko admits, but: "There won't be a full evacuation - maybe a partial one, but you can't call it an evacuation." Citizens might have to be temporarily relocated to suburbs.

Even the sports legend does not believe in a quick end to the war.

But in a year the world in Ukraine should look different again, if Klitschko has his way: "I hope that next year we will all celebrate the New Year under a peaceful sky."

But there is still a long way to go: "We don't know how much we still have to pay for it, how many lives of our soldiers.

But let's not forget that 20 percent of Ukrainian territory is still occupied.

And the Russians won't go, but we'll help."