'Darkest Time of Year': Moscow's Lavish Lights Contrast With Ukraine's Blackout
While Ukraine faces sweeping heating and electricity cuts as a result of weeks of targeted Russian drone and missile strikes, Moscow enjoys extensive light decorations to celebrate the upcoming New Year.
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A woman walks on a street during a blackout after Russian attacks in the Western Ukrainian city of Lviv.
Yuriy Dyachyshyn / AFP
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A hospital employee stands at the doorstep of a maternity ward during a blackout after Russian attacks in the Western Ukrainian city of Lviv.
Yuriy Dyachyshyn / AFP
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As a result of Russian missile strikes, Ukraine will have to impose regular emergency blackouts across the country, national grid operator Ukrenergo said Monday.
Bulent Kilic / AFP
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A woman speaks to a street vendor during a blackout after Russian attacks in the Western Ukrainian city of Lviv.
Yuriy Dyachyshyn / AFP
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Russian President Vladimir Putin told his German counterpart, Olaf Scholz, on Friday that attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure were "inevitable."
Bulent Kilic / AFP
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Russia's most famous department store, GUM, decorated with festive lights in central Moscow.
Maxim Churusov / TASS
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The lighting structures decorating Moscow's streets each year typically number in the thousands.
Pelagia Tikhonova / Moskva News Agency
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A Christmas Fair on Red Square in Moscow.
Kirill Zykov / Moskva News Agency
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A New Year skating rink on Red Square in Moscow.
Kirill Zykov / Moskva News Agency
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While most New Year celebrations will carry on as normal in the Russian capital, Moscow will not music concerts and firework displays as a result of the Ukraine war.
Kirill Zykov / Moskva News Agency