Ukrainian soldiers reveal their only wish for Christmas

Ukrainian soldiers have recorded a series of Christmas songs with a poignant twist to remind the world of the ongoing horrors they face in their war with Russia.

Shot in a dugout in Bakhmut, scene of some of the worst atrocities, the accompanying video features similar scenes of devastation inflicted on the shattered cities Lyman and Kostyantynivka.

Lead guitar and vocals are performed by infantryman Oleksandr Remez, 39, who dreamed of becoming a musician before being drafted into the defence of Kyiv within hours of Vladimir Putin’s invasion.

Speaking exclusively to Metro about the project, Oleksandr said: ‘What do I want for Christmas? I would like for myself, my loved ones, and all Ukrainians to continue with their lives. And for Russia not invade anyone else’s land. That’s the most important thing.’

The video is made by UNITED24, launched by President Volodymyr Zelensky as a way to raise money and help support the war effort.

Performed on a bandura, the centuries-old traditional Ukrainian folk instrument, the lyrics have been slightly tweaked to convey the message.

Frank Sinatra’s ‘I’ll be home for Christmas’, written from the perspective of a Second World War soldier, becomes ‘I won’t be home for Christmas’, while the line ‘war is over’ from the John Lennon classic is changed to ‘war is not over’.

Ukrainian soldiers have recorded a series of Christmas songs with a poignant twist (Picture: United24/mlnk.team)

The video also features similar scenes of devastation inflicted on the shattered cities Lyman and Kostyantynivka (Picture: United24/mlnk.team)

Yaroslava Gres, UNITED24 Coordinator, said: ‘We wanted to wish the world a Merry Christmas, while reminding everyone that the war in Ukraine continues.’

‘Ukraine needs support. Today, on Christmas, and New Year. We believe that the world will feel it again and will be there for us.’

Oleksandr said: ‘I started learning to play the guitar at the age of 13. I wanted to play, and express my inner self through music.

‘The main goal was to play my own songs, write and reflect; it is being realised now.

‘Whenever a feeling accumulates in me, I need to express it through art. Without it, I don’t feel alive. Music comes in handy here.

‘So, it was very difficult at the beginning of the war because I simply couldn’t morally afford it, and I didn’t want to.

‘But when it became clear that this war was not for two or three weeks, my faithful companion – music, of course – made itself known and helped me express myself rather than keeping everything inside.’

The video is shot in a dugout in Bakhmut, scene of some of the worst atrocities (Picture: United24/mlnk.team)

The video is made by UNITED24, launched by President Volodymyr Zelensky as a way to raise money and help support the war effort (Picture: United24/mlnk.team)

Oleksandr, who was wounded fighting in the battle of Lysychansk, is joined by combat medic InnaKorolenko, 25, who worked as a music therapist before the war, mostly helping children.

Her Christmas ‘dream’ is for ‘no evacuation challenges’: ‘And for it to be quiet at our positions.’

Originally from Odesa, she lived and studied in Kyiv for eight years before joining the military and is currently serving on the frontline in Donetsk.

‘The unit I have now is the best among all I’ve seen. And I’ve seen a lot,’ she told Metro.

‘My last profession before the war was as a music therapist, since I obtained a second degree in psychology and decided to combine it with music.

‘I led children’s groups in musical improvisations, taught adults not to fear instruments – how to forget about notes, play, and feel free in music, as I feel myself.

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‘I never stopped singing; it’s one of the ways that help me tune in, rehabilitate, calm down.

‘Now, music is my relaxation and reboot mechanism. It’s like breathing.

‘After some nerves, experienced situations, you want to pick something up [like a guitar]. Not immediately, of course; not always. Sometimes you want to stay silent, and sometimes you don’t want to do anything.

‘But then there comes a moment when you emerge from this emptiness, pick up a guitar or other instrument – I have small ones with me so as to not to carry much – and release the emotions you suppressed.

‘It’s a way of rehabilitation now. Not just for me but also for my comrades who love listening and, at the moment of singing, release emotions that shouldn’t be held inside.

‘And it helps. It brings us together, entertains us, makes us a little happier.’

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