Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned Russia’s deliberate attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, calling it a “conscious choice” made by Moscow.
The Ukrainian air force reported detecting 184 missiles and drones launched during the assault, though many were intercepted or missed their targets. While casualties were reported, specific figures have not been disclosed.
Russia confirmed the strike, claiming its objective to hit critical energy facilities had been achieved, marking the 13th major attack on Ukraine’s energy sector this year. In September, President Zelensky revealed that 80% of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure had already been damaged by Russian bombing. Despite the attacks, Zelensky maintained that Ukraine would not be broken by what he described as “Russian evil” and vowed to restore power as swiftly as possible.
The strikes led to widespread power cuts, including in Kyiv, where some residents sought shelter in metro stations. In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, half a million people were left without water, electricity, or heating amid freezing temperatures, according to the regional governor.
As air raid alarms sounded across the country, residents sheltered in place, with many expressing fear and frustration. Despite the terror, some Ukrainians, like Oleksandra from Kyiv, emphasized that “Christmas is not cancelled” and planned to celebrate with family and friends when it was safe.
Ukraine’s state-owned power company, Ukrenergo, warned that power outages could persist throughout the day, with restrictions in place as efforts to restore service continued.
In response to the attack, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha denounced the strikes as “Christmas terror” and highlighted the broader threat posed by Russia. He noted that one Russian missile had flown through Moldovan and Romanian airspace, drawing condemnation from Moldova’s president, Maia Sandu, who confirmed the missile detection, though Romania denied any missile incursion.
Elsewhere, the Russian Kursk region reported casualties from Ukrainian shelling, with four people killed and five others injured, according to local authorities.