Russia launched a devastating Christmas Day attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, prompting Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to condemn it as a deliberate and inhuman act. In a statement on social media, Zelenskyy accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of intentionally targeting the holiday, emphasizing that such massive strikes require planning and are not spontaneous.
He highlighted the conscious decision behind the timing, date, and specific targets of the attack. Despite the widespread destruction, Zelenskyy expressed defiance, asserting that Russia’s actions would not break Ukraine’s spirit or mar the Christmas celebration.
The attack involved over 70 missiles and hundreds of drones targeting critical energy facilities across Ukraine. Ukrainian forces successfully intercepted more than 50 missiles and numerous drones, reducing the potential scale of damage. However, the strikes still caused significant power outages in multiple regions, including Kyiv.
Zelenskyy described the attack as part of Russia’s ongoing effort to create a blackout in Ukraine, aiming to cripple the nation’s energy infrastructure and demoralize its people. Ukrainian officials and energy companies immediately began efforts to restore power and minimize disruptions.
Russia Targets Ukraine’s Energy Infrastructure on Christmas Day, Zelenskyy Condemns Attack as ‘Christmas Terror’
Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed the strikes, claiming the objective was to disable critical energy infrastructure linked to Ukraine’s military-industrial complex. Ukrainian officials, however, viewed the attack as a direct response to international discussions of a potential Christmas ceasefire.
Andrii Sybiha, Ukraine’s foreign minister, condemned the assault as an act of “Christmas terror.” DTEK, Ukraine’s largest energy company, reported extensive damage to thermal power plants but assured that recovery efforts were underway to restore energy services promptly.
The international community, including U.S. President Joe Biden, strongly condemned the attack. Biden described the strikes as an outrageous attempt to deprive Ukrainians of heat and electricity during winter and reiterated U.S. support for Ukraine, promising continued weapons deliveries to aid in its defense.
Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Hlushchenko confirmed the scale of the attack and advised citizens to remain in shelters during ongoing shelling. He assured that measures were being implemented to mitigate the impact on the nation’s power grid, underscoring the resilience of energy sector workers.
This attack coincided with Ukraine’s second official celebration of Christmas on December 25, marking a cultural shift away from the traditional January 7 observance tied to Russian Orthodox customs. Zelenskyy emphasized that Christmas had become a symbol of unity and defiance for Ukrainians.
Meanwhile, Russian officials reported casualties and infrastructure damage from Ukrainian shelling in the partially occupied Kursk region, highlighting the ongoing and reciprocal nature of the conflict. Despite the challenges, Zelenskyy reaffirmed Ukraine’s determination to stand united against aggression, declaring that evil would not prevail as long as Ukrainians remained steadfast.
