UKRAINE-CRISIS/REFUGEES-CHRISTMAS Refugees from eastern Ukraine celebrate Christmas in southern Russia

Record ID: 274706

  • Title: UKRAINE-CRISIS/REFUGEES-CHRISTMAS Refugees from eastern Ukraine celebrate Christmas in southern Russia
  • Date: 25th December 2014
  • Summary: CHILDREN CLAPPING AND WATCHING PERFORMANCE CHILDREN DANCING VARIOUS OF WOMAN PERFORMING SONG AS CHILDREN WATCH
  • Embargoed: 9th January 2015 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Topics: General
  • Reuters ID: LVA1F6SZOMWWN03QZ3J06SFA64AJ
  • Story Text: Ukrainian refugees who have fled into Russia to escape from conflict in the east of the embattled country marked Christmas at a shelter in Russia's Rostov region on Thursday (December 25).
    A Christmas tree and decorations were put up at a temporary accommodation facility in the village of Krasny Desant with the help of local authorities and donations from residents.
    Father Frost, the Russian version of Santa Claus, took the time to visit the shelter in the Neklinovsky district, where he handed out presents and sweets to children marking the winter holiday away from home.
    Over 150 children from Ukrainian families sheltering in Russia took part in celebrations, playing games, dancing and singing along with Father Frost's granddaughter 'Snegurachka', or the Snow Maiden.
    Elena, who is originally from Luhansk, is staying at the shelter with her three young children.
    She said the celebration had lifted the spirits of the adults alongside the young children.
    "There is a happy mood .. it is all the same, celebrations are the same everywhere. They are enjoyable for the children and for the adults also. No matter how difficult it is for us there (Ukraine). A celebration is a celebration and it will be a happy one," said Elena.
    Yana, who is also from the city of Luhansk in the east of Ukraine, where battles have raged for several months, told Reuters she wished for peace.
    "For everything in our country, in Ukraine, to settle down. (To go back to) How things were for us. So that there wouldn't be this war. I would like it to end faster so that we can return," said Yana, who is staying at the shelter with her four children.
    Relations between Ukraine and the Kremlin are at an all-time low following Russia's annexation of Crimea in March.
    Kiev accuses Russia of involvement in the eastern conflict in which over 4,700 have been killed.
    Moscow denies supporting the pro-Russian separatist rebellion.
    Russian alongside with Kiev and the rebels are in talks to renew efforts to find a political solution to the crisis in eastern Ukraine.
    A so-called "contact group" in Minsk is set to resume talks to reinforce a shaky ceasefire that has been regularly flouted by both sides.
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