On Christmas Day, Russia launched a series of attacks on Ukraine, targeting its energy systems and cities with missiles and drones. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the assault “inhuman,” noting that it occurred on Christmas. At least six people were injured in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, and one person was killed in Dnipropetrovsk. The attacks left half a million people in Kharkiv without heating, and there were widespread blackouts in Kyiv and other areas.
Zelensky criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for choosing Christmas to carry out the attack, which included more than 70 missiles and over 100 drones. Russia’s Ministry of Defence confirmed the strike, claiming it hit key energy facilities that support Ukraine’s military operations.
Ukraine’s military reported shooting down 59 missiles and 54 drones. Ukraine has been marking Christmas on a new calendar, separate from Russia’s traditional date of January 7.
Since the spring, Russia has intensified its attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector, causing widespread damage and power shortages. The energy sector was a main target during this Christmas assault, with Ukraine’s private energy company DTEK reporting serious damage to its facilities. Ukrainian officials have called for more support from allies to protect the energy infrastructure from further attacks.
The US Ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, condemned the attack, calling it a form of “state-sponsored terrorism” and noting that Russia had once again “weaponized winter” against Ukraine.
