War is NOT over! Watch Ukraine soldiers sing their own versions of Christmas favourites including Let It Snow and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas in bomb-shattered Bakhmut

Ukrainian soldiers on war-weary frontlines in Bakhmut have released a video singing modified versions of Christmas classics including Happy Xmas (War Is Over), Let It Snow and Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas.

Nine soldiers feature in a dugout near the beleaguered city in eastern Ukraine against a background of civilian buildings destroyed by Russian invaders. They were also pictured in Lyman, liberated last October, and Kostiantynivka, a town nine miles from the front-line.

Inna Korolenko, a combat medic for almost two years performing on guitar and vocals, said: ‘During the Christmas holidays, people naturally distance themselves from other people’s problems. I would very much like this project to make the world understand that the war is not over and it is necessary to get involved 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 include changed lyrics ‘designed to remind people about the ongoing war and the importance of global support for Ukraine’, according to the UNITED24 fundraising platform behind the campaign.

The soldiers are gearing up to celebrate Christmas on December 25 for the first time since 1917 this year – a deliberate move away from Russia, which celebrates on January 7, per the Julian calendar.

The performances looked to share Christmas cheer while reminding audiences the war in Ukraine is not over

Dmytro Dudko, a serviceman of the 59th OMPBr, plays sax 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 collecting charitable donations in support of Ukraine.

A total of $502,679,248 has been raised through donations from over 110 countries over a period of 17 months, backed by ambassadors including Barbara Streisand, Mark Hamill and Imagine Dragons.

Why has Ukraine moved Christmas Day? 

Ukraine will celebrate Christmas on December 25 for the first time since 1917 this year.

The switch is a deliberate effort to distance itself from Russia, which celebrates on January 7 in line with the Julian calendar.

While many Christians celebrate Christmas on December 25, many also celebrate on December 24 – and Orthodox Christians mark it on January 7.

The adoption of the Gregorian calendar is also seen as Kyiv’s effort to align itself with Europe and its institutions. 

England switched to the Gregorian calendar in 1752 and days were then removed to make up for the difference with the Julian celebration of Christmas.

Many, including Russia, rejected the change as it swept the West. 

‘We wanted to wish the world a Merry Christmas, while reminding everyone that the war in Ukraine continues,’ said Yaroslava Gres, UNITED24 Coordinator, explaining the campaign.

‘The songs we selected are true holiday symbols. Some words in the lyrics 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, created 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.

They include Oleksandr Remez, a soldier of the 110th OBrTRO, who was wounded in the battles near Lysychansk, and Inna Korolenko, a combat medic of the fire support platoon of the 206th Battalion of the Territorial Defence of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Playing the bandura – a traditional Ukrainian instrument – and on vocals is Dmytro Romanchuk, a serviceman of the 59th OMPBr, who participated in the defence of Kyiv. On the pipe is Mykhailo Adamchak, a paramedic of the Hospitaliers battalion of the Ukrainian Volunteer Army, musician, and frontman of the CORALLY band.

On percussion is Artur Temchenko, a serviceman of 110 OBrTRO, actor, and drummer. Mykhailo Oliynyk, a serviceman of the 59th Military Infantry Brigade, composer and music producer, plays piano and vocals.

Dmytro Dudko, a serviceman of the 59th OMPBr, brings his skills 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 servicewoman of the 59th OMPBr, and Svitlana Cherednychenko, a soloist of the National Exemplary Band of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

Bakhmut has endured a horrifying and drawn-out battle for the city since last year. After months of fighting, the city once home to 70,000 was mired in a web of bleak trench networks by the end of last year as the ground froze and temperatures dropped as low as -9C.

Russian forces, backed by Wagner Group mercenaries, contested the city of limited strategic value through a grisly winter, funneling troops over and over into the foray until they were eventually able to overcome the Ukrainian resistance.

Dmytro Romanchuk, a serviceman of the 59th OMPBr, who participated in the defence of Kyiv

Artur Temchenko, a serviceman of 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

Since August last year, battles have continued in the region as both sides tussle for control. Last December, President Zelensky admitted Russia had turned Bakhmut into ‘burnt ruins’ following a relentless bombing campaign.

The slow war of attrition pushed both sides into murky, sodden trenches through the winter, hammered by artillery and trapped in close quarter battle (CQB) engagements.

Wagner Chief Yevgeny Prigozhin – since killed – said in May that as many as 20,000 of his troops had been killed to date fighting for Bakhmut.

Russia and Ukraine do not release official figures on their own casualties.