Episode description

As Ukraine prepares for its first Christmas since the Russian invasion, a friend in Kyiv tells us it’s one of struggle and defiance.

It’s also Vitaly’s first Christmas with his family safely in the UK. How will they spend it?

Natalia Zarytska gives us an update on her husband Bogdan’s long road to recovery since his release from Russian detention.

And we speak to Oleksandr Pikalov, a friend of Volodymyr Zelensky since childhood, about the time he introduced the future president to his future wife.

Today’s episode is presented by Lyse Doucet and Vitaliy Shevchenko. The producers were Arsenii Sokolov and Luke Radcliff. The technical producer was Mike Regaard. The series producer is Fiona Leach. The assistant editor is Alison Gee and the editor is Jonathan Aspinwall. Email Ukrainecast@bbc.co.uk with your questions and comments. You can also send us a message or voice note via WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram to +44 330 1239480