No Orthodox Christmas on January 7 in Russia’s Belgorod city near the Ukraine border because of increased strikes by Ukraine military.
Belgorod has been hit with near daily Ukrainian attacks in recent days, the deadliest of which killed 25 people on December 30.
Russia celebrates Orthodox Christmas on January 7 and midnight masses are held on the night of January 6.
The mayor of Belgorod, Valentin Demidov, said on social media he agreed with local church leaders that “night masses in Belgorod would be cancelled in connection to the operational situation”.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s pilots destroyed the control point of the Russian military at the Saky airfield, located in the occupied Crimea. Mykola Oleshchuk, Ukraine’s Air Force commander, has confirmed the successful strike.
“Saky airfield! All targets have been shot down!…. Thanks to our pilots for their excellent work!” Oleshchuk wrote on social media.
Reports of explosions in occupied Crimea, particularly in the area around the Saky airfield. emerged late on Friday evening, Jan. 5.
The pro-Ukrainian telegram channel “Crimean Wind” cited eyewitnesses, stating that about 10 explosions were heard in the Yevpatoria area, with additional ones reported in where the military airfield “Saky” is situated in the village of Novofedorovka.
In the meantime, the Russian Defense Ministry hasn’t commented on any of the statements from the Ukrainian side, only announcing that their air defense successfully intercepted and shot down four guided missiles over Crimea.
Prior to this, Ukrainian Air Force Commander Mykola Oleshchuk said on Thursday that the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) had carried out two missile strikes against Russian targets in Crimea; a command post, near Sevastopol, was hit at about 3 p.m. and a military unit, believed to be a radar station in Uyutne, near the city of Yevpatoria, in the evening.
