"Still want to celebrate"- Norwich woman on family’s Orthodox Christmas in Ukraine
Millions living in both Ukraine and Russia celebrate the birth of Christ as per the Roman's Julian Calendar
While Christmas day is a distant memory for us in Norfolk some Ukrainians across the globe are observing it today.
It's because the millions of Orthodox Christians living in both the war-torn county and Russia, celebrate the birth of Christ as per the Roman's Julian Calendar.
Moscow's called a 36-hour truce from midday yesterday with this in mind, as millions get ready for their Orthodox Christmas on the 7th of January.
But Kyiv's indicated it would not follow suit on this, saying Russia will only get a ceasefire when it leaves Ukrainian territory.
"It's more about people going to church"
Natalia Scott is originally from Kyiv and now lives in Norwich.
"Our Christmas is more about restriction, religion and bible stories. It's more about people going to church and is less fun than over here.
"I like Christmas, my husband is a big fan of it and cooks everything himself for it"
She told us about the her first Christmas here in the UK:
"I was literally shook by how many presents were under the Christmas tree. I had never seen so many presents.
"I probably didn't have as many presents myself as the kids had that Christmas. It was very nice, and good to see families gathering together to do fun things."
"My heart is there, my daughter and brother are there"
She went on to tell us that her family and friends back home are making the best of it:
"You can't live in constant fear so they try to have some fun. They my family and friends still go to restaurants and try celebrate.
"But because of the restrictions on power sometimes it hasn't work out the way they want to".
Mrs Scott also told us about what December 25th was like for her friends and family back home:
"A lot of people were shopping and cooking, but then the message said you need to drop everything and you need to run to the basement.
"Obviously I'm not there, so it could be even worse for me. But my heart is there, my daughter and brother are there as well.
"So, I couldn't enjoy that Christmas so much as I normally do."