Orthodox Christmas came under harsh circumstances in Ukraine this year. Even on the frontline and de-occupied territories families keep gathering together at one table and celebrating. For the Kovtuns family, this celebration is an act of defiance.

Some of the plates the family used were pulled from the ruins of their home destroyed by russians, among the few things to survive. The family recipe book was lost in the fire, so this year Ms. Kovtun made many of the traditional dishes from memory. The electricity flickered out for two hours. However, the most important thing — they are together under the same roof.

The New York Times journalists spent Christmas Eve with the Kovtun family in their new modular NEST and shared how they live, and believe in the bright future for Ukraine even under the buzz of drones launched by russians. Read the whole article here