On Christmas Day, Russia launched a devastating assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, with explosions reported nationwide.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes as “inhumane,” emphasizing their deliberate timing and intent to sow fear.
Major Infrastructure Attacks Leave Ukraine Reeling
The attacks marked the 13th large-scale assault on Ukraine’s power grid this year, according to DTEK, the nation’s largest energy provider. The damage has plunged Ukraine into a precarious energy crisis as the war grinds into its third winter.
In the eastern Dnipropetrovsk region, at least one person was killed, while six others were injured in Kharkiv, a city less than 20 miles from the Russian border. Residential buildings and civilian infrastructure suffered extensive damage, with regional governor Oleh Syniehubov confirming seven missile strikes.
Half a million households in Kharkiv have been left without heating in freezing temperatures of 3°C (37°F). Rolling blackouts have been imposed across Ukraine to stabilize the grid, DTEK said.
Ukrainian Counterattacks and Russian Casualties
Ukraine’s military reported targeting a Russian command post in Lgov, Kursk region, overnight. Local authorities confirmed four deaths and five injuries, including one woman in critical condition.
Meanwhile, in Vladikavkaz, North Ossetia-Alania, Russian officials said debris from a drone shot down by air defenses caused an explosion at a shopping center, killing one person.
A Deliberate Christmas Strike
Zelensky accused Russia of choosing Christmas Day for the attack as a calculated move. “Every massive Russian strike requires preparation. This was no spontaneous decision,” he said. “Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane?”
The strike followed Ukraine’s shift to celebrating Christmas on December 25, distancing itself from the Russian Orthodox Church’s January 7 observance. The change, formalized in 2023, symbolized Ukraine’s efforts to align with European traditions and assert national independence.
Scale of the Assault
Russia launched over 70 missiles and more than 100 drones, targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, according to Zelensky. Ukrainian forces intercepted more than 50 missiles and a “significant” number of drones, but several regions remain without power.
DTEK reported severe damage to its thermal power plants, with equipment shelled over 200 times since the invasion began in February 2022. Emergency blackouts were imposed across multiple regions, as energy minister German Halushchenko decried the attack on the energy sector.
International Fallout
Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha stated that a Russian missile violated Moldovan and Romanian airspace, raising concerns about regional security. Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the attack, declaring it a violation of international law and expressing solidarity with Ukraine. However, Romanian officials said they could not confirm the airspace breach.
Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to the missile threat near its border, highlighting escalating tensions.
Ongoing Assaults
The Christmas Day attack came just after a deadly Russian strike on Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky’s hometown, on Christmas Eve. That strike killed one person and injured 17 others, with a residential building reduced to rubble.
As Ukraine endures relentless strikes, its resolve remains strong. Zelensky’s government continues to rally international support, while Ukrainians persevere through another harsh winter under siege.
