Putin ‘prepares to mobilise 500,000 troops’; thousands of Ukrainians ‘forced to get Russian passports’ | Ukraine latest

The city of Bakhmut in eastern Ukraine did not experience the Russian-imposed ceasefire in the last 24 hours, as those across the country celebrated Orthodox Christmas.

Instead, authorities claimed that shelling continued, and at least two people were killed and 14 injured.

The city was once home to 70,000 people but has since been largely abandoned in the wake of harsh, relentless Russian bombardment.

“Dear God, our town used to be so beautiful,” said
75-year-old Olha, who carried shopping bags along the street on Saturday.

“There were roses everywhere, flowers. It was clean,
everything was kept in order.” 

Moscow said on Saturday its forces in Ukraine would maintain
a 36-hour ceasefire declared by President Vladimir Putin until
midnight, despite Ukraine rejecting the offer. 

It said its troops had only returned artillery fire when
fired upon by Ukrainian forces.

“The ceasefire, you know how that works?” said 30-year-old
humanitarian volunteer Vasyl Liesin.
“When Putin says there’s a ceasefire, it’s actually the
other way round: there’s no ceasefire.

“They shelled us a lot
yesterday. During the night, it was more or less calm. But
that’s how it usually is: one day there’s shelling, the next day
it’s calmer.”