The staggering setback for the Kremlin occurred as fighting continued between both sides for nearly the fourth straight year and a US-brokered peace plan remained stalled.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged in his Christmas Eve message that many Ukrainians want to see Russian President Vladimir Putin dead. “‘May he perish,’ each of

Russia fired more than 650 drones and three dozen missiles at Ukraine in a major pre-Christmas attack, killing at least three people including a child.

Air raid alerts were issued across the country, including in Kyiv, where one person was killed. Others were killed in Khmelnytskyy, western Ukraine, and the central Zhytomyr region.

Peace talks between Russia and Ukraine continue as Ukraine spent its third Christmas under Russian onslaught.

The forecast for Christmas day in Ukraine is for snow, with temperatures between -2 degrees and 2 degrees Celsius. It means that neither the Russian nor Ukrainian militaries can advance on the battlefield, so Russia will intensify its widespread attacks on towns and cities.

Pope Leo has urged Ukraine and Russia to find the "courage" to hold direct talks to end the war during his first Christmas remarks to crowds in St Peter's square.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed discussions with U.S. representatives on Christmas Day to explore new peace proposals following a deadly Russian attack.

Officials said the strike triggered "numerous explosions" and damage at the targeted oil refinery was still being assessed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said he discussed "substantive details" of a Ukraine-Russia peace deal with President Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner on Christmas.