A letter by Marko Soroka to St. Nicholas sits with others in Izium, Ukraine, Dec. 6, 2024. It reads, "Dear St. Nicholas! My name is Marko Soroka, I'm 11 years old. I love to play lego and draw. My mom says that im a good boy. My wish is returning my father from Russian captivity. All children who are waiting for their parents to be released from captivity dream of receiving such a gift. For all people I wish a good health and peace." (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Children and volunteers of the NGO Ukrainian Frontiers wave a play parachute during celebrations of St. Nicholas Day in Izium, Ukraine, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Volunteers of the NGO Ukrainian Frontiers dance during celebrations of St. Nicholas Day in Izium, Ukraine, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Children reach out for soap balloons during celebrations of St. Nicholas Day in Izium, Ukraine, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Children receive presents from volunteers of the NGO Ukrainian Frontiers during celebrations of St. Nicholas Day in Izium, Ukraine, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Alina Soboleva, 9, holds her cat "Murchik" at her house in Izium, Ukraine, Dec. 6, 2024. Her grandmother, Svitlana Lokotosh, explains that Alina has been withdrawn since witnessing the deaths of her mother and other grandmother in a shelling in the courtyard of their home. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Kateryna Shutalova, center, a psychologist of the NGO Ukrainian Frontiers, performs in front of children during celebrations of St. Nicholas Day in Izium, Ukraine, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Alina Soboleva, 9, walks with her grandmother, Svitlana Lokotosh, to participate in an event during St. Nicholas Day in Izium, Ukraine, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Children stand under a play parachute during an event organized by the local NGO Ukrainian Frontiers during celebration St. Nicholas Day in Izium, Ukraine, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

A boy hugs a man wearing a St. Nicholas costume during celebrations of St. Nicholas Day in Izium, Ukraine, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Inna Achkasova, manager of the NGO Ukrainian Frontiers, holds a light as she performs in front of children during celebrations of St. Nicholas Day in Izium, Ukraine, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

From left, Masha, 12, Tymofiy, 12, and Illia, 6, carry presents to their homes after celebrations of St. Nicholas Day in Izium, Ukraine, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Volunteers of the local NGO Ukrainian Frontiers unload presents from a van before celebrations of St. Nicholas Day in Izium, Ukraine, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

Children wait in line to receive presents from volunteers of the NGO Ukrainian Frontiers during celebrations of St. Nicholas Day in Izium, Ukraine, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)

A girl crawls though improvised tunnel during celebrations of St. Nicholas Day in Izium, Ukraine, Dec. 6, 2024. (AP Photo/Evgeniy Maloletka)