On Christmas Day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy was condemning Russia’s “barbaric” attack on Ukraine’s energy grid amid dozens of missiles and drones targeting the embattled country. An early-morning assault was said to have woken the entire nation with a jarring air raid alarm, following reports of Kalibr cruise missiles launched from the Black Sea.
“Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhumane? More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred attack drones. The target is our energy system,” Zelenskyy said.
This is the 13th large-scale strike on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure this year, part of Russia’s campaign of winter attacks on the power grid. Even though Ukraine’s air force shot down over 50 missiles, Zelenskyy reported some damage, and blackouts were reported in several regions. Engineers are working to restore the power system, though Ukraine’s DTEK energy company confirmed that there is severe damage to thermal power plants, while local authorities report wide cuts in power supply.
Christmas morning again proved that nothing is holy for the attacking country, said Svitlana Onyshchuk, the head of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, which has also suffered power outages during the holiday. Christmas was officially celebrated in Ukraine on December 25 for the second year in succession since the country had rescheduled the date from January 7 to distance itself from Russia.
The attack also hit the center Dnipropetrovsk, where Governor Sergiy Lysak stressed Russia was trying to break up the power grid in the region. Yesterday, another Russian attack struck Kryvyi Rig killing one person and leaving 17 wounded. It is attacked Kharkiv once more that wounded six.
Russian forces have continued their bombardment of Kharkiv almost daily for two years, as they focus on recapturing the town of Kupiansk in the Kharkiv region. Ukrainian troops, facing a more equipped Russian military, have been forced to cede ground across the front lines in Kharkiv and Donetsk.
In response to the continued attacks, Zelenskyy thanked those who were defending Ukraine. “I am grateful to everyone who is working for the country, who is on combat duty, who is protecting our sky,” he said. Zelenskyy remained firm, saying, “Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not ruin Christmas.”
