Russian attacks in Ukraine on Christmas Day result in widespread blackouts. President Zelensky condemns the strikes as inhumane, emphasizing the deliberate targeting of energy infrastructure.
Kyiv, Ukraine – In a stark violation of holiday peace, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has strongly condemned Russia’s “inhumane” missile and drone assault on Ukrainian energy infrastructure on Christmas Day. The attacks, which commenced at approximately 5:30 AM local time, involved over 70 missiles, including ballistic types, and more than 100 attack drones targeting key energy facilities across Ukraine.
Zelensky described the choice of Russian attacks on Christmas as deliberate, stating,
“Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane?”
The Ukrainian President highlighted the scale of the assault, noting it was the 13th large-scale strike on the nation’s energy system this year, aimed at causing widespread power disruptions during the winter season.
The strikes led to significant damage, with blackouts reported in several regions including Kharkiv, where at least one person died and others were injured. The Ukrainian Air Force managed to intercept over 50 missiles, but the damage to civilian infrastructure was considerable, affecting residential areas and energy facilities alike.
International reactions have been swift, with allies of Ukraine expressing solidarity and condemning the attacks. Moldova has voiced support, while Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to the missile threat. The Ukrainian Foreign Minister, Andrii Sybiha, reported that one Russian missile even traversed Moldovan and Romanian airspace, raising further concerns about regional security.
This Christmas Day offensive by Russia is perceived not only as an attack on Ukrainian infrastructure but also as an assault on the spirit of Christmas, highlighting the ongoing brutality of the conflict that has persisted into its third winter. Zelensky’s message of resilience and unity in the face of such aggression was clear: “Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not ruin Christmas.”
The Ukrainian government and its citizens continue to call for more international support to bolster their defenses against aerial assaults, emphasizing the need for additional air defense systems to protect both the energy grid and civilian lives.
