Christmases in Kharkiv

Christmas morning, 25 December, did not start so well. From 6 am Putin greeted us with a barrage of missiles (12 in total), which targeted boiler houses and electricity facilities, in parallel with an attack on the entire energy sector of Ukraine. As a result, much of Kharkiv is without heating and power outage schedules have been introduced. Fortunately, the weather is not too cold - around zero degrees celcius - and technicians managed to ensure that the city's electric transport (the Metro underground trains, trams and trolley buses) continued to operate. Several people were injured in the attacks and private residential buildings were damaged. 

But, as the mayor of Kharkiv said, "I am confident that we will overcome today's challenges! We are together! We are Kharkiv residents! We are Ukrainians! Glory to Ukraine!"

And Kharkiv could not look more Christmassy if it tried. As was pointed out to me, these incredible decorations use very energy efficient LED bulbs. They represent the spirit and determination of the city to celebrate, despite adversity, and, as my mother suggested, they are a finger up to Putin.

We had a lovely Christmas Day in Hell's Kitchen. Cooking went on, as normal, for the hospital and other institutions in Kharkiv...

...and the head baker made some special treats for volunteers.

As always, there was a lot of fun and laughter.

Last week I had a pre-Christmas break in Chernihiv with my good friend, Jos, a returning volunteer to Hell's Kitchen. We met in Kyiv railway station in the early hours, managed to miss the morning train to Chernihiv and, after some effort in the pouring rain, found a bus. Chernihiv, close to the northern border with Russia, was under siege from the beginning of the full invasion on 24 February, until 4 April 2022. The town was about 70% destroyed, and between 350 and 400 civilians were killed. It is reported that Ukrainian resistance in Chernihiv played a critical role in preventing the Russian army from succeeding in its assault on the capital, Kyiv. (Wikipedia)

There was also terrible damage in the surrounding villages, including most of the schools and the newly built home in Ivanivka of my friend, Ala, a school teacher in the village school. She was given a government grant to buy a new house in Chernihiv and is now working in a language school in the town, which we visited.

Although the bomb damage in Chernihiv is starkly evident, there has been significant rebuilding, both in the city and in the villages in the region, with support from international aid agencies and volunteers. The road bridge from Chernihiv across the River Desna that connected Chernihiv to the south of the region was completely destroyed. When I was delivering aid to villages in Chernihiv region a year after the siege, Chernihiv was only accessible by a precarious pontoon bridge. The bridge was already being rebuilt and now, in one of Ukraine's many amazing feats of engineering during the war, you wouldn't have known anything had happened to it.

Chernihiv is a lovely old town with impressive churches, monasteries and battlements.

But the best part was staying out of the city, in a small wooden cabin near the river. We had a little snow one morning but, mostly, the weather was unseasonally mild, and we did a lot of walking and exploring. Compared to Kharkiv, Chernihiv is relatively quiet now and we heard no sirens until the last of the 5 days.

Back in Kharkiv, during the last few weeks, the tiny teddies made by Mary in the village of Trawden, England, have been distributed to children, to soldiers for use as amulets and sometimes to both.

Some generous donations have been received, which have mostly been divided between Adults for Children, e.g. for medication for children with special needs from internally displaced families in Kharkiv.

...and support for soldiers on the frontline, including cold medication and pain relievers, heating/cooking equipment, fleece jackets and thermal underwear. 

Over the next three days Franklin, Hell's Kitchen volunteer coordinator, is trying to raise funds for soldiers fighting on 'zero line' not far from Kharkiv, who have asked for help in getting some night vision devices. They are literally defending Kharkiv City so any help in raising the funds required would be greatly appreciated.

Finally, volunteers in Hell's Kitchen are getting ready for our 3rd New Year's Party during this war, which will be a barbecue outside. Here, New Year's Eve is the main celebration, followed, for some, by the Orthodox Christmas on 6 January.

In Chernihiv there was already optimism for 2025. I hope for a just peace.

Any donations, however small, are greatly appreciated. To make a donation, please:

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