President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s energy system on Christmas Day as “inhumane”.
Half a million people in Kharkiv were left without heat in temperatures just a few degrees above freezing, while blackouts were reported in Kyiv and other areas.
The attack, which one Ukrainian energy chief described as “state-sponsored terrorism” by Vladimir Putin, killed at least one person and injured six others.
The massive attack occurred as Ukraine officially celebrated Christmas on December 25 for only the second time, in an effort to reduce the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church, which celebrates on January 7.
It enraged outgoing US President Joe Biden, who promised to deliver more weapons to Ukraine after sending hundreds of air defense missiles in recent months. “The Ukrainian people deserve to live in peace and safety,” he told reporters.
Mr Zelensky stated that more than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and over 100 attack drones were used to target Ukraine’s power sources. The Ukrainian air force reported that nearly 60 missiles and 54 drones were shot down.
“Every massive Russian strike takes time to plan. It is never a snap decision. It is a deliberate choice of targets, timing, and date. Putin deliberately targeted Christmas for an attack. “What could be more inhumane?” Mr Zelensky spoke.
“The targets are our energy infrastructure. “They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine.”
Mr Zelensky’s comments were echoed by Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, who paid tribute “to the resilience of the Ukrainian people… in the face of further drone and missile attacks from Putin’s bloody and brutal war machine, with no respite, even at Christmas.”
The prime minister emphasized: “As we go into the new year, it remains vital that we redouble our resolve to place Ukraine in the strongest possible position to end Russia’s illegal aggression against the Ukrainian people.”
Mr Biden also issued a statement condemning Moscow’s “outrageous attack” and promising to maintain a surge in weapon deliveries to Ukraine.
Washington has committed $175 billion in aid to Ukraine, but it is uncertain whether the flow will continue under Donald Trump, who takes office next month.
Vice President Biden responded: “I have directed the Department of Defense to continue its surge of weapons deliveries to Ukraine, and the United States will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen Ukraine’s position in its defense against Russian forces.”
The Independent’s Askold Krushelnycky, who spent Christmas Eve near the Kharkiv battlefields reporting on Ukrainian drone operators destroying Russian military targets, described the attack.
“Two hours after I returned to my hotel I was awoken at 6.30am on Christmas morning by the Russian military attacking civilian targets in Kharkiv,” according to him.
“The city, in eastern Ukraine, is so close to the border that Russia’s missiles, glide bombs and drones, that attack Kharkiv most days, often hit their targets before the air-raid sirens have time to sound.”
Russia’s defense ministry said it carried out a large-scale strike on what it claimed were critical energy facilities supporting Kyiv’s military and industrial complex. German Galushchenko, Ukraine’s energy minister, warned that as a result, the country’s electricity supply had been restricted.
A thermal power plant was struck, forcing Ukrainians to seek shelter in metro stations, and the military issued a nationwide air alert in response to Russian cruise missile launches. The Ukrainian air force reported that missiles were fired at the eastern Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Poltava regions.
Local governors reported that the strikes wounded at least six people in Kharkiv and killed one in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Mr Krushelnycky stated, “I was woken by a loud bang, which was followed by at least four more explosions in the next few minutes, and then another a short time later.
“Since then, air raid alarms have sounded frequently, and the sound of emergency vehicle sirens has provided an audio backdrop throughout Christmas Day.
“The hotel where I am staying informed me when I first stayed there last year that they did not have a basement and thus no air raid shelter of their own, but there was one a short distance away available to guests.
“Air raid sirens can be heard repeatedly in the capital, Kyiv, and other major Ukrainian cities. In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, it’s rare that they don’t sound multiple times. So most Ukrainians don’t rush to the shelters when the alarms go off or, in places like Kharkiv, even when distant explosions occur.”
Serhiy Lysak, governor of Dnipropetrovsk, stated that the fatality occurred during an attack on regional power facilities. “Since the morning, the Russian army has been heavily attacking the Dnipro region. “It is attempting to destroy the region’s power grid,” he stated.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported “massive missile fire,” adding: “A series of explosions rang out in the city, and ballistic missiles are still flying in the direction of the city.” Stay in safe places.”
Ukraine’s largest private energy company DTEK said its generating facilities were attacked, with power equipment seriously damaged, in the 13th large-scale assault on the energy sector this year.
“We appeal to every ally of Ukraine to end this state-sponsored terrorism now by giving our armed forces the air defence ammunition they need to protect essential energy infrastructure,” DTEK chief executive Maxim Timchenko said.
Russia has intensified attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector since spring, damaging almost half of its generating capacity and causing prolonged blackouts.
Bridget Brink, the US ambassador to Ukraine, stated: “Russia’s Christmas gift to Ukraine: more than 70 missiles and 100 drones, aimed at Ukrainian families celebrating at home and the energy infrastructure that keeps them going.
“For the third holiday season, Russia weaponises winter.”
The latest attack occurred just one day after a ballistic missile struck an apartment building in Mr Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih, killing one and injuring 15.
“The monsters landed a direct hit on a four-storey residential block with 32 apartments,” said local military chief Oleksandr Vilkul.
