Zelensky condemns Russian 'inhumane' Christmas attack on energy grid

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned a brutal Russian missile and drone strike on Christmas Day, calling it "inhumane" and highlighting the deliberate timing of the attack on one of Ukraine's most important religious holidays.

The assault, which targeted Ukraine’s energy grid, began early on Christmas morning, with the country’s air raid alarm sounding at 5:30 AM (0330 GMT). The Ukrainian Air Force later confirmed that Russia had launched Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea. Zelensky described the attack, which involved more than 70 missiles and over a hundred attack drones, as a deliberate attempt to cripple Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during winter.

"Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhumane?" Zelensky said, emphasizing the scale and nature of the assault on Ukraine's energy system. This marked the 13th major attack on Ukraine’s power grid this year as part of Russia's ongoing campaign to disrupt the country's energy supply.

While Ukraine's air force successfully intercepted over 50 missiles, Zelensky confirmed that some missiles had hit their targets, leading to power outages across several regions. "Unfortunately, there are some hits. As of now, there are blackouts in several regions," he said.

Ukraine's DTEK energy company reported significant damage to equipment at thermal power plants. Regional authorities across the country confirmed power cuts and ongoing efforts to restore the energy system. In the Ivano-Frankivsk region, which also suffered blackouts, Svitlana Onyshchuk, the regional head, expressed outrage, saying, “Christmas morning has once again shown that nothing is sacred for the aggressor country.”

The attack came as Ukraine officially celebrates Christmas on 25 December for the second year, after changing the date from 7 January as a symbolic rejection of Russian influence. This shift aligns with the broader national move to distance itself from Moscow and embrace closer ties with Europe.

The strike on Christmas Day also targeted central Dnipropetrovsk, with Governor Sergiy Lysak noting that Russia was trying to destroy the region's power grid. He confirmed that rescue operations were completed following a previous attack in Kryvyi Rig, which killed one person and wounded 17 others. Additionally, the eastern city of Kharkiv, which has faced nearly daily Russian bombardment for two years, came under renewed fire on Christmas Day, injuring six people, according to Governor Oleg Synegubov.

In response to the violence, authorities in Kharkiv reported evacuations from areas like Borivske and Kupiansk, where Russian forces have been attempting to regain control after Ukraine recaptured the region in 2022.

Meanwhile, in the Donetsk region, continued Russian shelling claimed the life of one local resident, Governor Vadym Filashkin reported. The ongoing conflict in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions has seen Ukrainian troops on the defensive, with Russia making territorial gains despite being outnumbered.

As the battle rages on, the Ukrainian government continues to call for additional international support to strengthen its defense against Russia's aerial and ground offensives.

"I am grateful to everyone who is working for the country, who is on combat duty, who is protecting our sky," Zelensky said in his Christmas Day address.

Despite the severe attacks, Zelensky remained defiant, declaring, "Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not ruin Christmas."