KIEV: In an emotional Christmas message, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has offered courage to people suffering under the war and called on them to persevere, the German Press Agency (dpa) reported.

"We have endured attacks, threats, nuclear blackmail, terror and missile strikes. Let us get through this winter because we know what we are fighting for," Zelensky said in a video circulated on Christmas Eve.

In the video, he was standing in the dark on the street with a Christmas tree and sparse lights in the background.

"We believe that tears will give way to joy, that hope will come after despair and death will be defeated by life," Zelensky said.

Millions of people in Ukraine and around the world are celebrating Christmas, he said. The president recalled Ukrainians who have fled abroad or have to spend Christmas in Russian captivity. "We will bring back to all Ukrainian women and men their freedom."

Following Russian attacks on the country's energy infrastructure, streets and houses may not shine as brightly, as usual, this year, Zelensky said. But no Russian drone or missile could break the spirit of Christmas, he added.

"And even in total darkness, we will find each other to hug tightly. And if there is no heating, we will warm ourselves with a big hug," Zelensky said. "We will not wait for a miracle, we will do it ourselves."

In Ukraine, both Dec 25 is an official Christmas Day and Jan 7, when Orthodox Christians celebrate.

According to surveys, the Russian war is causing more and more people to turn to the celebratory culture of Western churches.

-- BERNAMA