The fighting in Ukraine has continued despite the ceasefire declared by Russia over Orthodox Christmas. Many Russians and Ukrainians celebrate Christmas on 7 January. Ukrinfrom reports of Russian missile strikes against Kharkiv region and Bakhmut, and Kramatorsk and Kostiantynivka overnight.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky thanked the US for the Bradley infantry fighting vehicles – called “tank-killers” because of their anti-tank missiles - included in the latest USD 3.75 billion package of military aid the US has promised Ukraine. “For the first time, we will get Bradley fighting vehicles — this is exactly what is needed,” President Zelensky said.

Meanwhile Ukraine is imposing sanctions on more than 100 Russian celebrities who support the war and are propagandists of the Putin regime. The list includes film director Nikita Mikhalkov, singers Philipp Kirkorov and Dima Bilan, homourist Yevgeny Petrosyan, philosopher Alexandr Dugin. According to the decree issued by President Zelensky, the Ukrainian assets of the persons on the sanctions list will be blocked, business transactions with them terminated, their licenses revoked, and the transfer of copyright banned.

Chechen leader Ramzan Kadirov described the West’s aid to Ukraine as a “working money laundering scheme” on his Telegram channel, stating that the money would be embezzled by Western and Ukrainian officials, with no more than 15% reaching the trenches.