Ukrainians in Wolverhampton mark traditional January Christmas in defiance of Russian aggression

Around 90 people braved the bad weather to mark the festive occasion at the Particular Ukrainian Catholic Church, on Merridale Street West, on Saturday.

Many Ukrainians celebrate Christmas and the New Year according to the Julian calendar, putting those two occasions on January 7 and January 14 respectively in the more widely-used Gregorian calendar.

And there was a round of carol singing at various homes later on for people who were unable to attend the church service but still wanted to mark the annual event.

For some it was a mixture of emotions, with the usual heartfelt time of the year set against a backdrop of continued aggression by Russian forces in their home country.

But it made the celebration more poignant for many, with Mychajlo Fedyk saying it was important to celebrate their traditions with Christmas being there "no matter what".

Mr Fedyk, who is a member of the Ukrainian church parish council and chairman of the Ukrainian Youth Association, said: "It was a wonderful service in the church and it was good to see people celebrating our Ukrainian Christmas. We've been going around the Ukrainian community carol singing as well, visiting a lot of our folk including those who couldn't make the church service.

"For us, the feeling is that Christmas is always here, no matter what, whatever the aggressors try. The Ukrainian people are so resilient, they will continue their traditions and this attack is an attack on our culture and ways. So we carry it on no matter how testing our conditions, because our God is with us through the good days and through the bad days of the war – carrying us through it."

He added there was a "lot at stake" and to see what was happening to friends and families in his home country tore his heart apart. "I've got cousins there on the frontline who are away from their families at Christmas," he said. "It's so difficult, but we are a resilient people and will not give in. No way."

Meanwhile Russia's President Vladimir Putin ordered a ceasefire – dismissed by Kyiv officials as a ploy – which will last until midnight on Sunday local time, although reports have suggested a fire station in the city of Kherson has been struck by Russian forces during the 36-hour ceasefire.

Christmas is celebrated on December 25 for much of the western world following the Gregorian calendar, with Orthodox Christians following the Julian calendar – marking the festive occasion on January 7 instead.