
- Russia attacked Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure on December 25, causing power outages.
- Zelensky described the missile and drone attack on Christmas Day as “inhumane.”
- Mass attacks on Ukraine’s energy sources were the hallmark of Russia’s all-out invasion.
Russia launched an attack on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure on December 25, in what President Volodymyr Zelensky described as an “inhumane” move, according to multiple reports.
Zelensky He said in a telegram More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles and more than 100 attack drones, were fired at Ukrainian energy targets.
He added: “Every massive Russian strike takes time to prepare. This was not a spontaneous decision at all. It is a conscious choice not only of the targets, but also of the time and date.” According to a BBC translation.
“Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas to launch an attack. What could be more inhumane?”
In 2022, the Ukrainian Orthodox Church allowed Christmas to be celebrated on December 25, in what was widely seen as a snub to Russia, which largely celebrates on January 7. Most of Ukraine has since followed suit.
On Wednesday, Zelensky shared several photos of firefighters working to address damage in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
Russia launched massive bombing of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Christmas Day. Dnipropetrovsk region/Telegram
Zelensky said Ukrainian forces shot down at least 50 missiles and several drones, but there were still power outages in several areas as a result of the strikes.
Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galoshenko also he said in a Facebook post The country’s energy industry was under widespread attack, resulting in power outages.
DTEK, the largest energy company in Ukraine, Named He described the attack as “cynical”, saying it caused massive damage and forced power systems to cut off power to the Dnipropetrovsk, Odessa and Kiev regions.
The city of Kharkiv, located in northeastern Ukraine – the second largest city in Ukraine – was among the most affected cities, according to its mayor, Ihor Terekhov, who… He said A series of explosions occurred amid the launch of huge missiles.
Four people were injured and heat was cut off in a large part of the city. He saidas of 11 a.m. local time.
Firefighters in Dnipropetrovsk region. Dnipropetrovsk region/Telegram
video Shared on social media — which Business Insider has not been able to independently verify — appears to show air raid sirens sounding in Kiev, amid… Reports People are taking shelter in metro stations.
Explosions were also reported in Kremenchug, Kryvyi Rih and Ivano-Frankivsk. The Kyiv Independent reported.
Mass attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure have been the hallmark of Russia’s large-scale invasion. There were several mass strikes throughout the year, and as of November, an estimated two-thirds of the country’s electricity generation capacity was offline.
Representatives of the Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to Business Insider’s request for comment.