St. Nicholas, the Ukrainian Santa, is popular for his good deeds and for always helping kids in need. Tania and Nastia went to an orphanage to create a holiday for kids.
I give to your Tip Jar periodically, more often than I can comfortably afford. That’s because the work you do, and the stories you write educate me about what it’s like to live and work in a country at war. After today’s story reminded me about how this winter will be particularly difficult and dangerously cold, I donated again. Thank you, Counteroffensive journalists, and especially to Tim Mak, whose writing surpasses what I read every day in the New York Times.
Thank you so much for your donation! We really appreciate it and we are very happy that you enjoy reading our stories! Do you have any particular topics you would like us to write more on in the future?
Anastasia and Tania, more than the joy of a visit from Saint Nicholas bearing gifts, you have given those children a lifelong memory that they will doubtless share with countless others throughout their lives.
Saint Nicholas seems so much more real than Santa Claus. Maybe it's the spirit of Tania in there that makes it so. Sending wishes for all The Counteroffensive team and subjects to have some joy this season.
I follow everything you write about the situation in Ukraine and I have a few other sources whose opinion I trust. Ukrain is not loosing the war. What is continually emphasised is more sanctions on Russia. There is a small firm supplying what is needed to make tyres for example, who now have a branch in Virginia, Saction them. Sanction every way Russia's financial situation can be damaged. They can't last long if this is done effectively by the EU. We can forget the US.
Liked, restacked & shared to Bluesky (as always). Such a sweet story. We do not celebrate Saint Nicholas' Day here in the UK (except, I suppose, for Catholics). However, as a child, I lived in South Africa from the age of 9, and spent much of 1965 as lodger (!) living with a Dutch teacher, who taught at a school my father wanted me to attend, since he was building a house nearby. I celebrated with her (the only time in my life that I celebrated the feast), although since my father did not provide a gift, I just had fruit & some chocolate. He was not around for Christmas Day either, but my mother sent me a book from the UK, and my paternal grandmother sent me £5 - a huge sum for a child in those days!
I can identify with the children's desires to see their fathers - my own father was absent when he should have been present, but died in a car crash when I was 12...
🫂 Another wonderful article, and amazing mahi (work) from The Counteroffensive team 🤗 In my experience children will understand unconventional "presents" such as diesel if it is explained in the right way, and was an inspired & meaningful choice ✔️👍 My heart breaks for ALL Ukrainians subjected to this illegal invasion, but of course particularly for these children - great to read about the de-institutionalisation too - so necessary for both the present & future 🫂💙💛
🙋 In my childhood we had Santa Claus who (supposedly) came down the chimney on the night of 25th December to deliver presents & eat carrots and/or cake & drink a bottle of beer left out by the family (after his sleigh pulled by reindeer had landed on our snowy roof....) That shows how colonisation colours our culture because in Aotearoa-New Zealand it is mid-summer, & the Santa's in the shopping malls etc swelter in their red suits, artificial beards, & black boots 😂 Not to mention most houses don't have chimneys big enough 🤷
Presents were modest due to our financial circumstances at the time, and a highlight was fresh fruit in our Christmas stockings that was not everyday for us. Our parents were bemused that as adults we insisted on getting a stocking filled with fruit if we were visiting 😂 As an adult I joined friends having outdoor picnics in the sun in relatively remote places, and as a back country Ranger I loved having Christmas with my favourite back country view on the planet, sometimes in splendid peaceful solitude, and sometimes with visitors to share. Actually, I nearly had a white Christmas there as it was a sub-alpine location!
Now with a younger generation of youngsters, it is mostly watch & enjoy... For my Christmas wish this year it is peace for Ukraine, and Gaza, and everywhere there is conflict being inflicted on the innocents 🕊️🕊️🕊️🤞🤞🤞
How kind of all of you to want to support and entertain the children. Please go to the first photograph. You show us the seated children in a huddle. Tania/St. Nicholas opposite and a table between them. Please think about this placement. The table is an artificial barrier . It can slow down making "friends" with St Nicholas and should NEVER be placed between the two groups. A semi-circle with St Nicholas in the middle is much better.
I give to your Tip Jar periodically, more often than I can comfortably afford. That’s because the work you do, and the stories you write educate me about what it’s like to live and work in a country at war. After today’s story reminded me about how this winter will be particularly difficult and dangerously cold, I donated again. Thank you, Counteroffensive journalists, and especially to Tim Mak, whose writing surpasses what I read every day in the New York Times.
Thank you so much for your donation! We really appreciate it and we are very happy that you enjoy reading our stories! Do you have any particular topics you would like us to write more on in the future?
No particular topics. I most enjoy stories that illuminate the lives of ordinary Ukrainians and your journalists.
Lovely story. 💙💛
I am really overwhelmed by this Substack. Thank you for showing such kindness to the children.
Anastasia and Tania, more than the joy of a visit from Saint Nicholas bearing gifts, you have given those children a lifelong memory that they will doubtless share with countless others throughout their lives.
Thank you for your beautiful commentary and loving works. You made the frequently unseen, seen again! We will not forget.....
Saint Nicholas seems so much more real than Santa Claus. Maybe it's the spirit of Tania in there that makes it so. Sending wishes for all The Counteroffensive team and subjects to have some joy this season.
I follow everything you write about the situation in Ukraine and I have a few other sources whose opinion I trust. Ukrain is not loosing the war. What is continually emphasised is more sanctions on Russia. There is a small firm supplying what is needed to make tyres for example, who now have a branch in Virginia, Saction them. Sanction every way Russia's financial situation can be damaged. They can't last long if this is done effectively by the EU. We can forget the US.
Liked, restacked & shared to Bluesky (as always). Such a sweet story. We do not celebrate Saint Nicholas' Day here in the UK (except, I suppose, for Catholics). However, as a child, I lived in South Africa from the age of 9, and spent much of 1965 as lodger (!) living with a Dutch teacher, who taught at a school my father wanted me to attend, since he was building a house nearby. I celebrated with her (the only time in my life that I celebrated the feast), although since my father did not provide a gift, I just had fruit & some chocolate. He was not around for Christmas Day either, but my mother sent me a book from the UK, and my paternal grandmother sent me £5 - a huge sum for a child in those days!
I can identify with the children's desires to see their fathers - my own father was absent when he should have been present, but died in a car crash when I was 12...
So sorry to hear about your father. Do you think there’s anything else that could be done to support those children in such difficult times ?
They need love and socialising more than anything else - I know I did in 1965.
You guys are just the best. <3
🫂 Another wonderful article, and amazing mahi (work) from The Counteroffensive team 🤗 In my experience children will understand unconventional "presents" such as diesel if it is explained in the right way, and was an inspired & meaningful choice ✔️👍 My heart breaks for ALL Ukrainians subjected to this illegal invasion, but of course particularly for these children - great to read about the de-institutionalisation too - so necessary for both the present & future 🫂💙💛
🙋 In my childhood we had Santa Claus who (supposedly) came down the chimney on the night of 25th December to deliver presents & eat carrots and/or cake & drink a bottle of beer left out by the family (after his sleigh pulled by reindeer had landed on our snowy roof....) That shows how colonisation colours our culture because in Aotearoa-New Zealand it is mid-summer, & the Santa's in the shopping malls etc swelter in their red suits, artificial beards, & black boots 😂 Not to mention most houses don't have chimneys big enough 🤷
Presents were modest due to our financial circumstances at the time, and a highlight was fresh fruit in our Christmas stockings that was not everyday for us. Our parents were bemused that as adults we insisted on getting a stocking filled with fruit if we were visiting 😂 As an adult I joined friends having outdoor picnics in the sun in relatively remote places, and as a back country Ranger I loved having Christmas with my favourite back country view on the planet, sometimes in splendid peaceful solitude, and sometimes with visitors to share. Actually, I nearly had a white Christmas there as it was a sub-alpine location!
Now with a younger generation of youngsters, it is mostly watch & enjoy... For my Christmas wish this year it is peace for Ukraine, and Gaza, and everywhere there is conflict being inflicted on the innocents 🕊️🕊️🕊️🤞🤞🤞
How kind of all of you to want to support and entertain the children. Please go to the first photograph. You show us the seated children in a huddle. Tania/St. Nicholas opposite and a table between them. Please think about this placement. The table is an artificial barrier . It can slow down making "friends" with St Nicholas and should NEVER be placed between the two groups. A semi-circle with St Nicholas in the middle is much better.