KYIV: On Wednesday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned a brutal attack by Russia, which targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure with over 170 missiles and drones on Christmas Day, resulting in the death of an energy worker.
The day began with an air raid alarm sounding at 5:30 am local time, as reports emerged that Russia had launched Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea. President Zelensky remarked, “Putin chose Christmas for this attack. What could be more inhumane than this? More than 70 missiles and over a hundred drones were aimed at our energy system.”
This recent assault marks the 13th significant strike on Ukraine’s energy facilities this year, part of Russia’s ongoing winter campaign against the country’s power grid.
In response, Russia claimed that five people lost their lives due to Ukrainian strikes and a falling drone in the border areas of Kursk and North Ossetia. Ukraine stated that its air defense successfully intercepted 58 out of the 79 missiles launched by Russia, although two Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles were not intercepted.
Kyiv reported that a Russian missile traveled through Moldovan and Romanian airspace, but Romania denied any violation had occurred. President Zelensky acknowledged damage from the attacks and noted that blackouts have affected several regions. The DTEK energy company confirmed that thermal power plants were severely damaged in the strikes.
Three Injured in Kharkiv Missile Strike
The missile attacks also wounded at least three people in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city. DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko condemned the strikes, calling them a “depraved and evil act” and urged international allies to provide more air defense support.
The assault in the central Dnipropetrovsk region killed an employee of a thermal power plant, and Governor Sergiy Lysak reported that rescue operations were wrapped up after a previous day’s attack in Kryvyi Rig, which left one person dead and 17 others injured.
Even though attacks are ongoing, engineers have managed to restore power in the Ivano-Frankivsk region. “This Christmas morning has shown that nothing is sacred for the aggressor country,” said Svitlana Onyshchuk, the head of the region.
Ukraine is officially celebrating Christmas on December 25 for the second consecutive year, having shifted the date from January 7 as a statement against Russia.
The Christmas Day attacks also struck Kharkiv, targeting boiler houses, thermal power plants, and power facilities, leading to temporary power outages for around 500,000 residents as reported by Mayor Igor Terekhov. Authorities evacuated 46 people from areas around Borivske and Kupiansk, as Moscow’s forces are seeking to regain control of Kupiansk, which Ukrainian troops liberated in September 2022.
Amidst these attacks, Ukrainian forces are feeling the pressure as they face better-equipped Russian troops, and the situation remains tense along the front lines in both the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions.
Despite the violence, President Zelensky expressed gratitude to those defending Ukraine and emphasized, “Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not ruin Christmas.”
