Zelensky Condemns ‘Inhumane’ Christmas Day Missile Attacks In Ukraine.
Russia launched a series of missile and drone attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, an act Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky described as a “conscious choice” to cause devastation during the festive season.
More than 70 missiles and 100 drones were reportedly fired during the assault, with Ukraine’s air defences managing to intercept and destroy over 50 of the missiles. The attacks led to widespread power outages across the country, including parts of Kyiv, leaving millions of Ukrainians grappling with bitterly cold temperatures without reliable energy supply.
Residents of Kyiv sought refuge in metro stations after warnings of further drone attacks, while the state-owned energy company Ukrenergo announced restrictions on electricity consumption as the power grid struggled to recover.
“Our power system continues to recover after previous hostile missile and drone attacks,” Ukrenergo stated, urging citizens to conserve energy. The company warned that power cuts would likely persist throughout the day due to significant damage to energy facilities.
In central and eastern regions, including Kryvyi Rih, Kremenchuk, and Kharkiv, alerts were issued for additional missile and drone strikes, further heightening tensions across the nation.
Speaking to reporters, Kyiv residents expressed their frustration and fear. Nataliia Ziumchenko, a mother, said she had no choice but to shelter with her child. “Of course, I want to be at home and celebrate, but it’s too scary to stay there. We want peace,” she said.
Despite the challenges, Ukrainians remained determined to uphold the Christmas spirit. Oleksandra, 28, shared her optimism: “Christmas is not cancelled. Ukrainian traditional food and drink are waiting for us at home. We will visit friends and godchildren. My children just need to get some more sleep.”
President Zelensky condemned the attacks, labelling them “inhumane” and underscoring Russia’s deliberate targeting of civilian infrastructure during the holiday. With no immediate end to the conflict in sight, Ukrainians continue to demonstrate resilience and hope amidst adversity.
