Russia Ukraine war/ Christmas Day attack/ Ukrainian energy crisis/ missile and drone strikes/ Zelenskyy condemnation/ Newslooks/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Russia launched a large-scale missile and drone assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, striking thermal power plants and cutting heat to hundreds of thousands of people. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy condemned the timing as “inhumane,” while counterattacks and debris caused fatalities in both Ukraine and Russia. The strikes disrupted power and heating across major regions, intensifying the ongoing war.
Russia’s Christmas Attack on Ukraine: Quick Looks
- Scale of Attack: 78 missiles and 106 drones targeted Ukraine’s energy grid; many were intercepted.
- Casualties: At least one Ukrainian and one Russian died, with injuries reported on both sides.
- Energy Crisis: Ukraine’s power grid sustained major damage; outages affected Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro.
- Counterclaims: Russia reported downing 59 Ukrainian drones, with casualties from Ukrainian shelling.
- Global Impact: A missile reportedly passed through Moldovan and Romanian airspace, escalating tensions.
Russia Targets Ukraine’s Energy Grid in Christmas Day Attacks
Deep Look
On Christmas Day, Russia unleashed a massive barrage of missiles and drones targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, compounding the country’s already critical power and heating shortages amid winter’s chill. The strikes caused widespread damage, forcing millions of Ukrainians into metro stations for shelter.
The Scale and Impact of the Attacks
Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia fired 78 missiles and deployed 106 drones, including Shahed models, in a coordinated assault. While Ukrainian defenses intercepted 59 missiles and 54 drones, many others struck key infrastructure in the Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Poltava regions. Preemptive power outages were applied nationwide, and Kyiv saw significant blackouts.
In Dnipro, one person was killed, and 155 residential buildings were left without heat, according to Vice Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba. In Kharkiv, at least seven strikes sparked fires and injured three people. The regional power distributor reported widespread disruptions affecting 500,000 residents.
Zelenskyy’s Condemnation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy decried the timing of the attack, calling it a “deliberately inhumane” act. “Putin chose Christmas for this attack,” he stated on social media. “They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine.”
Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko confirmed that thermal power plants and other critical facilities were targeted, emphasizing that repairs would begin as soon as the security situation allowed. DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy provider, reported that one of its thermal plants was hit, marking the 13th attack on Ukraine’s power grid this year.
Counterstrikes and Russian Casualties
In Russia, debris from a downed drone ignited a fire outside a shopping mall in Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia-Alania, killing one woman and injuring three others. Separately, four people died in Lgov, Kursk region, due to Ukrainian shelling, according to local officials. The shelling damaged several residential buildings and a beauty salon.
Russia’s Ministry of Defense reported intercepting 59 Ukrainian drones over regions including Belgorod, Voronezh, Kursk, Bryansk, and the Azov Sea. However, the ministry did not address the Vladikavkaz incident.
Missile Through Moldovan and Romanian Airspace
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha claimed that a Russian missile passed through Moldovan and Romanian airspace during the attack, raising concerns about potential international repercussions. Neither Moldova nor Romania, both of which share borders with Ukraine, had confirmed the incursion at the time of reporting.
Continued Escalation
Russia’s Christmas Day offensive underscores the Kremlin’s continued strategy of targeting Ukraine’s energy systems, aiming to undermine civilian morale and disrupt daily life. Ukraine’s ability to intercept a significant portion of the missiles and drones highlights its growing air defense capabilities, bolstered by Western support.
The attacks also reflect the persistent tit-for-tat violence across borders, with each side reporting civilian casualties and infrastructure damage. As winter deepens and energy resources remain scarce, the humanitarian toll on both countries is expected to rise.
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