Bucharest: by using a power bank and candles. barbecues are included as well. since electric stoves cannot be used to cook today. Olena Mishchenko responds in this way when questioned about her plans for the new year.

While the majority of people around the world anticipate having the most "normal" Christmas since before the pandemic, millions of people in Ukraine are even further from that reality than many had previously thought.

But even though recent power outages completely altered Ukrainians' lives, the country will not forgo a holiday or permit their adversaries to mock and taunt them.

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The Russians were happy to take away our new year, so how much more so are they happy to deny us light and heat now? Serhiy Zaitsev: "No, we won't give in to them.

We haven't put away the Christmas tree since last year, Valery Kotsyuba chuckles.

"We wished to extend the holiday season. Then February 24 took place. Priorities drastically changed. When you hear explosions and have a few hours to leave, nobody notices the Christmas tree.

Therefore, I simply took down the Christmas tree's decorations and moved it to a corner when I came home in the summer. I'll dress it once more now.

"During the Russian attack on November 23, my daughter asked, 'Mom, are we being bombed?'" says Oleksandra Arakelyan. Sirens terrify her. She was frightened.

"We have been sleeping in the hallway during air raid alarms since October. Additionally, a lot of kids all over Ukraine do. Yuliya Belkova says she won't participate in the festivities but will be at home.

We don't have the desire this year, she says, so there won't be a Christmas tree or the customary Olivier salad. This isn't because there isn't light or because it's expensive.

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The kids are now adults. Nobody anticipates a miracle, she acknowledges. Nataliya Prokopchuk is upbeat and, as she always does, will make an effort to attend the performance of The Nutcracker on New Year's Eve.

And for the first time, we'll attempt to plan Christmas at home on a new date [since 2022, Ukraine has celebrated Christmas using the Gregorian calendar rather than the Julian calendar].

"I adore the aesthetics of European decorating, and on December 24 and 25, I'll try to implement it. After that, I'll visit my grandmother on January 6 as is customary.

She is eager to see her grandchildren, but it will be challenging for them to adjust to the new dates. In the war, Svitlana Nikiforova's brother perished. Regardless of the weather, we intend to celebrate at home, she continues.

We have a dog and six cats. Therefore, even if the heating goes out again, we'll stay warm. Some Ukrainian expats will attempt to celebrate by getting in touch with family and friends back home.

Because I left for Germany, I will celebrate on Viber with my family, says Natalia Gabrilchuk. I'll make the same wish that is currently being made by everyone.

Mykhailo Gabrilchuk, Natalia's 86-year-old father, remained in Ukraine. "It's not the holidays," he asserts, "when there is no electricity, heating, or running water in the homes. My daughter advised me to put the Christmas tree garland in a jar; as a result, we now have a practical lamp for when the electricity is out.

This is how we ring in the new year, without lights, just battery-powered garlands. On New Year's Eve, we hope that there will be heating and electricity so that people can watch the news and communicate on the phone with relatives.

However, we believe it is improper to use electricity to light a Christmas tree in a city. People in need should be cared for by the city, and it is preferable to extend their time in the light for them.

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Asserting the same, Nataliya Rets says, "I am against Christmas trees in the central squares because it's a great target for our crazy neighbour." I think the Russians can use a crowd for a missile attack, and there will be many victims," Olga Rossokha asserts.