3 stories you may have missed for the week of December 22

As Christmas approaches and we finish up our holiday shopping, it's difficult to keep track of all the incredible stories that pop up. Fortunately, WATM is here to do all your heavy lifting, bringing you the big stories you may have missed during the week of December 22.

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3. These Ukrainian schoolchildren don't fear the sounds of war after living through it for more than three years.

The war in eastern Ukraine that has claimed more than 10,000 lives and wounded thousands of others will turn four years old this upcoming April. Small-arms fire and artillery shelling have, unfortunately, become white noise for inhabitants of the cities along the front lines, Avdiivka and Marinka.

The constant bombardment has caused many locals in the area to become desensitized to their own well-being.

"[The] children don't care about their safety anymore," a school principal states.

The school's windows are boarded up with sandbags, and the frequent bombings have become a part of their everyday lives.

2. Putin says ex-Soviet countries threatened by militants.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that former Soviet countries were being threatened by militants using the Middle East and Central Asia as a springboard for expansion.

Also Read: 5 stories you may have missed for the week of December 16th

1. South Korea fired "warning shots" to fight off Chinese fishing boats.

Reportedly, the South Korean Coast Guard fired over 240 "warning shots" at Chinese fishing boats as they crowded around one of their patrol boats in their waters.

The coast guard commonly runs off Chinese boats who illegally fish in South Korean waters.