Day 319 of the Invasion of Ukraine: Kyiv Sanctions pro-Russian Celebrities including Bulgarian-Born Philipp Kirkorov

Here are the highlights of events related to the war in Ukraine over the past 24 hours:

Fighting in Ukraine continues despite a cease-fire announced by Russia

Fighting in Ukraine continued despite a unilateral ceasefire announced by Russia for Christmas, which Russians and many Ukrainians celebrate on January 7. Authorities in Kyiv have imposed sanctions on over 100 Russian celebrities.

Ukraine reported Russian shelling on the outskirts of Zaporizhzhia, as well as strikes in Kharkiv Oblast and also in Bakhmut. An air alert was signaled this morning in a number of regions of Ukraine.

"The world once again managed to convince itself of how false any words coming from Moscow are," Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky commented in his late address regarding the truce. It has been confirmed once again: only the expulsion of the Russian occupiers from Ukrainian land and the removal of all opportunities for Russia to put pressure on Ukraine and the whole of Europe will mean the restoration of security and peace, Zelensky said, drawing attention to the sanctions imposed by Kyiv on a number of Russian celebrities:

"We have an interim record of work regarding many Russian citizens and individuals associated with Russia who justify the war, help wage it, or glorify the terrorist state. The first such list was prepared - there will be further decisions on sanctions against such persons.

Anyone whose voice sounds in unison with the roar of Russian artillery will be cut off from the civilized world."

The list includes director Nikita Mikhalkov, singer Philipp Kirkorov, philosopher Alexander Dugin and 116 other people.

According to Zelensky's decree, the Ukrainian...