**Russia Banned Traditional Ukrainian Christmas Celebrations**
Russian authorities have banned traditional Ukrainian Christmas celebrations in occupied territories. The ban includes traditional carols and nativity plays (vertep), which are an important part of Ukrainian holiday traditions.
Educational institutions have been told not to mention Saint Nicholas, a character who is traditionally associated with Ukrainian Christmas celebrations. Instead, they must feature Russian New Year characters “Ded Moroz” and “Snegurochka”.
**Cultural Suppression**
The ban on traditional Ukrainian Christmas celebrations is part of a broader effort by Russian authorities to eliminate Ukrainian culture from public life in occupied areas. Children have also been targeted, with “preventive” conversations aimed at discrediting Santa Claus and other Western holiday characters.
This move mirrors similar actions taken in Belarus, where authorities have banned English-language Christmas songs in schools and promoted Russian New Year traditions.
**Background**
This is not the first time that Russian authorities have attempted to suppress Ukrainian culture. They had previously prepared a crackdown on commemorations of the Holodomor, a genocide by starvation conducted by Stalin’s communist authorities. Ukrainians in occupied territories also face healthcare denial if they do not have Russian passports.