Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia’s “conscious choice” to launch a major attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, calling the strikes “inhumane.” Russia fired 184 missiles and drones, many of which were intercepted by Ukraine’s air force, but some still caused casualties, with damage reported in several regions. The attack resulted in widespread power cuts, including in Kyiv, where residents took shelter in metro stations as air raid alarms sounded.
Zelensky described the timing of the attack as a deliberate move by Russia, targeting Ukraine during Christmas. He emphasized that the Russian strikes would not “break” Ukraine and that work was underway to restore power as quickly as possible. This marked the 13th major attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in 2024, according to DTEK, the country’s largest private energy company.
In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, the attack left half a million people without power, water, or heating in freezing temperatures. While many Ukrainians were forced to shelter, some, like Kyiv residents Oleksandra and Sofiia Lytvynenko, vowed to continue celebrating Christmas, despite the ongoing attacks.
Ukraine’s state-owned power company, Ukrenergo, warned that power outages could persist throughout the day. The strikes also affected neighboring Moldova, with one missile crossing its airspace, which was condemned by Moldovan President Maia Sandu. Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha labeled the attacks as “Christmas terror,” highlighting Russia’s broader regional threats.
