Additional Coverage:
- Putin ‘deliberately’ chose Christmas Day for a massive bombardment of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, Zelenskyy says (newsbreak.com)
Russia Strikes Ukraine on Christmas Day
On Christmas Day, Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack as “inhumane.”
Power Outages Reported
The strikes caused power outages in several regions. Ukraine’s energy minister, German Galushchenko, said the energy industry was under mass attack. DTEK, the largest energy company, reported serious damage and forced power cuts in Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, and Kyiv.
Kharkiv Hit Hard
The northeastern city of Kharkiv was among the worst affected. Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported explosions and rocket fire, leaving much of the city without heating. Four people were injured.
Air Raid Sirens in Kyiv
Air raid sirens blared in Kyiv, with reports of people sheltering in metro stations. Explosions were also reported in other cities.
Russia Claims Responsibility
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed responsibility for the strikes, targeting military-industrial complex facilities. It said all facilities were hit.
Attacks on Energy Infrastructure
Mass attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have been a key part of Russia’s invasion. As of November, an estimated two-thirds of the country’s electrical generation capacity had been destroyed.