Condemnation of Russian President Vladimir Putin came from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky after a “cruel” Christmas Day assault involving missiles and drones that targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, resulting in widespread power outages for thousands.
Zelensky expressed outrage in a post on social media platform X, stating, “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.”
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Zelensky noted that Ukrainian defense systems successfully intercepted over 50 missiles and a substantial number of drones; however, several cities were struck, leading to power outages in multiple regions.
According to Ukraine’s air force, Russia targeted energy and fuel supplies with 78 ground and air missiles alongside 106 Shahed drones, with the military reporting interception of 59 missiles and 54 Shahed drones.
The assault resulted in the death of one person in the Dnipropetrovsk region, while at least six individuals sustained injuries in the Kharkiv region. This incident marked the 13th assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure by Russia, as reported by DTEK, the largest private energy company in the country.
It was also the 10th attack on DTEK’s facilities, which led to damage to power stations and widespread outages, with one of its engineers reported dead due to the strike.
Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, condemned the attacks, stating, “There are no depths to which Russia will not sink. Denying light and warmth to millions of peace-loving people as they celebrate Christmas is a depraved and evil act that must be answered.”
He urged every ally of Ukraine to put an end to this state-sponsored terrorism by providing the air defense ammunition necessary to safeguard essential energy infrastructure.
In the Kharkiv region, regional head Oleh Syniehubov reported that Russia’s military conducted at least 12 missile strikes on critical infrastructure, leaving around half a million residents without electricity.
Meanwhile, across the border in the Russian city of Vladikavkaz, a fire caused by a downed drone resulted in one death and three injuries on Wednesday morning, according to The Associated Press.
