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Photos Of The Week (December 4-10, 2023)

Here are some of the most compelling photographs from the 49th week of 2023 from around RFE/RL's region. For more photo galleries, see our archive.

A winter swimming enthusiast swims in an ice hole in a lake in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk with the air temperature at around minus 35 degrees Celsius on December 9.
1 A winter swimming enthusiast swims in an ice hole in a lake in the Siberian city of Novosibirsk with the air temperature at around minus 35 degrees Celsius on December 9.
Protesters stage a performance dressed as mock Ukrainian prisoners of war in a cage, during a rally held by relatives of soldiers held captive by Russian forces to demand their release, on Independence Square in Kyiv on December 9.
2 Protesters stage a performance dressed as mock Ukrainian prisoners of war in a cage, during a rally held by relatives of soldiers held captive by Russian forces to demand their release, on Independence Square in Kyiv on December 9.
A menorah is illuminated to mark the Jewish festival of Hanukkah on Kyiv's Independence Square on December 7.
3 A menorah is illuminated to mark the Jewish festival of Hanukkah on Kyiv's Independence Square on December 7.
Kyrgyz artists perform in a play based on the work of Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov in Bishkek.
4 Kyrgyz artists perform in a play based on the work of Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov in Bishkek.
An Afghan rider competes during the first 2023 Fall Horse-Racing Tournament at the Chaman-e-Huzuri field in Kabul.
5 An Afghan rider competes during the first 2023 Fall Horse-Racing Tournament at the Chaman-e-Huzuri field in Kabul.
Skaters from Bulgaria (left), Italy, and South Korea compete during the semifinals of the men’s 5,000-meter relay at the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating event in Beijing.
6 Skaters from Bulgaria (left), Italy, and South Korea compete during the semifinals of the men’s 5,000-meter relay at the ISU World Cup Short Track Speed Skating event in Beijing.
Roman, 8, wounded by a Russian missile strike last year, performs in a ballroom dance competition in Lviv with his face covered by a burn mask, after a year of skin grafts and over 30 surgeries.
7 Roman, 8, wounded by a Russian missile strike last year, performs in a ballroom dance competition in Lviv with his face covered by a burn mask, after a year of skin grafts and over 30 surgeries.
People take a walk on the front deck of the Aurora cruiser at sunset in St. Petersburg, Russia.
8 People take a walk on the front deck of the Aurora cruiser at sunset in St. Petersburg, Russia.
 A Kabul Traffic Department staffer spray-paints taxis turquoise to make them fit into new color regulations. The Taliban-led government believes the change will enhance the safety of citizens. Additionally, taxi owners are required to be biometrically registered and to install GPS in their cars.
9  A Kabul Traffic Department staffer spray-paints taxis turquoise to make them fit into new color regulations. The Taliban-led government believes the change will enhance the safety of citizens. Additionally, taxi owners are required to be biometrically registered and to install GPS in their cars.
Ukrainian soldiers take part in anti-sabotage drills amid Russia's attack on Ukraine in the Chernihiv region.
10 Ukrainian soldiers take part in anti-sabotage drills amid Russia's attack on Ukraine in the Chernihiv region.
A local resident looks at a crater from a Russian missile strike in Kherson on December 5.
11 A local resident looks at a crater from a Russian missile strike in Kherson on December 5.
The body of a local resident lies at the site of a Russian military strike in Kherson in southern Ukraine on December 5. At least two people were killed in the Russian shelling.
12 The body of a local resident lies at the site of a Russian military strike in Kherson in southern Ukraine on December 5. At least two people were killed in the Russian shelling.
Shattered glass covers the ground as Pakistani security officials inspect the scene of the explosion of an improvised explosive device in Peshawar on December 5. At least seven people, including three children, were injured in the explosion, which targeted police personnel.
13 Shattered glass covers the ground as Pakistani security officials inspect the scene of the explosion of an improvised explosive device in Peshawar on December 5. At least seven people, including three children, were injured in the explosion, which targeted police personnel.
Vendor Nyurgusun Starostina, 47, poses for a picture at an open-air market on a frosty day in Yakutsk, Russia.
14 Vendor Nyurgusun Starostina, 47, poses for a picture at an open-air market on a frosty day in Yakutsk, Russia.
Trucks line up in a long queue to cross the Polish-Ukrainian border at the Dorohusk-Jagodzin crossing in Ludwinow, Poland, on December 4.
15 Trucks line up in a long queue to cross the Polish-Ukrainian border at the Dorohusk-Jagodzin crossing in Ludwinow, Poland, on December 4.
A group of people wearing Santa Claus costumes participate in the 8th Santa Claus Run in downtown Budapest.
16 A group of people wearing Santa Claus costumes participate in the 8th Santa Claus Run in downtown Budapest.
A woman rides a pony in a park during a heavy snowfall in Moscow.
17 A woman rides a pony in a park during a heavy snowfall in Moscow.
People hold posters during a demonstration against the Russian invasion in central Kyiv.
18 People hold posters during a demonstration against the Russian invasion in central Kyiv.
Afghan boys play with an old suitcase in Kabul.
19 Afghan boys play with an old suitcase in Kabul.
A woman walks past Christmas market stalls in snow-covered Red Square in Moscow.
20 A woman walks past Christmas market stalls in snow-covered Red Square in Moscow.
A woman removes shards of glass from broken windows in a building housing a beauty salon following recent shelling in the course of the Russia-Ukraine war in Donetsk, in Russian-controlled Ukraine.
21 A woman removes shards of glass from broken windows in a building housing a beauty salon following recent shelling in the course of the Russia-Ukraine war in Donetsk, in Russian-controlled Ukraine.
Shadows of Ukrainian players are cast before the IHF Women's World Handball match between Ukraine and Kazakhstan in Frederikshavn, Denmark.
22 Shadows of Ukrainian players are cast before the IHF Women's World Handball match between Ukraine and Kazakhstan in Frederikshavn, Denmark.
Patients at the Ohmatdyt hospital in Kyiv take part in the celebration of St. Nicholas Day on December 6. 
23 Patients at the Ohmatdyt hospital in Kyiv take part in the celebration of St. Nicholas Day on December 6. 
 An Afghan security officer pours gasoline on a pile of seized drugs and prohibited substances before setting them alight on the outskirts of the Fayzabad district of Badakhshan Province.
24  An Afghan security officer pours gasoline on a pile of seized drugs and prohibited substances before setting them alight on the outskirts of the Fayzabad district of Badakhshan Province.
Afghan children search for recyclable materials in the Fayzabad district of Badakhshan Province.
25 Afghan children search for recyclable materials in the Fayzabad district of Badakhshan Province.

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