Celia Hatton

They used to raise funds for their own benefit.

This is the Global News Podcast.

Despite back-and-forth diplomacy in recent weeks aimed at halting Russia's war on Ukraine, there's no sign of the conflict ending, and Ukrainian troops are about to spend a fourth Christmas on the front line.

So to boost the mood, many Ukrainians and people elsewhere are taking part in a secret Santa scheme, allowing people to send gifts to soldiers.

Toby Luckhurst reports from Kiev.

Videos posted online by the Secret Santa Scheme show Ukrainian soldiers, battle-hardened men in well-worn uniforms, tearing into presents and beaming with joy.

The scheme was the brainchild of Arslan, a 27-year-old living in Kyiv.

He started the programme in 2022, the first year of Russia's full-scale invasion.

It's now gone international, with people in more than 30 countries organising gifts for Ukrainian soldiers.

People can sign up for the scheme through a telegram chatbot, and they're then matched up with someone at the front who will receive the gifts.

But Arslan admits it's getting tougher to find people willing to take part.

Well, it's not the first place I would come if I were buying a Secret Santa gift.

It's a mountain and outdoor supply shop in the north of Kiev, in the Oberlon district, surrounded by boots, wet weather gear, tents.

We've come here with Irina, who's taking part in the Secret Santa program.

She's been matched with a soldier, and she's come here to buy him something he could really use.

The shop assistants here are all very helpful.

All of their husbands are serving at the front, so they get regular feedback on what's best to keep people warm and dry.

And it turns out I can be quite helpful too.

Do you want to use me as a measurement?

Irina says she plans to add in some coffee, sweets and a power bank to her Secret Santa gift.