For the second year, Ukrainians were trying to celebrate Christmas on December 25th, a new date differing from long-established Orthodox Calendar that takes place on January 7th – in a bid to ‘erase Russian influence’.
But for many, there was opportunity for merriment, as Russian forces enacted yet another massive air raid all over Ukraine, targeting the power infrastructure.
Reuters reported:
“Russia attacked Ukraine’s energy system and some cities with cruise and ballistic missiles plus drones on Wednesday in an “inhuman” Christmas Day assault, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said.”
[…] Half a million people in Kharkiv region were left without heating, in temperatures just a few degrees Celsius above zero, while there were blackouts in the capital Kyiv and elsewhere.”
Since the spring, Russia has intensified attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector damaging most of its generating capacity and causing prolonged blackouts.
“Ukraine’s Energy Minister German Galushchenko said on Facebook that Russia was massively attacking the power sector and that restrictions on electricity supply were in place.
[…] 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.”
Watch: powerful Russian strike on targets in Kharkov.
Good morning, Nazis ️
The moment of a powerful Russian strike on Nazi targets in Kharkov (Nazi Ukraine)
11 explosions in 26 minutes pic.twitter.com/J3pqZA68Yz— Alexander Ivanov (@innova_center) December 25, 2024
U.S. ambassador Bridget Brink:
“Russia’s Christmas gift to Ukraine: more than 70 missiles and 100 drones, directed at Ukrainian families celebrating in their homes and the energy infrastructure that keeps them said. For the third holiday season, Russia weaponizes winter.”
Christmas Under Siege- Russia Strikes Kyiv with 8 Missiles, 1 Dead and 12 Injured Just Days Before Holiday pic.twitter.com/EFsvLwTHl9
— BL Media Ukraine (@blukraine) December 24, 2024
Every massive Russian strike requires time for preparation. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a deliberate choice – not only of targets but also of timing and date.
Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles,… pic.twitter.com/GMD8rTomoX
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 25, 2024
“Every massive Russian strike requires time for preparation. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a deliberate choice – not only of targets but also of timing and date.
Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and more than a hundred attack drones. The targets are our energy infrastructure. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine.
According to preliminary reports, our defenders managed to shoot down more than 50 missiles and a significant number of drones. Unfortunately, there have been hits. As of now, there are power outages in several regions. Power engineers are working to restore power supply as soon as possible.
I thank everyone who is working for the country, who is on combat duty, who is protecting our skies. We will restore the maximum. Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not spoil Christmas.”
Read more:
Zelensky Admits Ukraine Doesn’t Have the Military Might To Retake Territory Conquered by Russia
