Russia launched a devastating missile and drone barrage against Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, plunging cities into darkness and leaving hundreds of thousands without heat amid freezing temperatures. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the attacks as "inhumane," accusing Moscow of weaponizing the holiday to inflict maximum suffering.
"Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane?" Zelensky stated on social media, emphasizing the deliberate nature of the assault.
The strikes marked the 13th major attack on Ukraine's energy grid this year, targeting thermal power plants and leaving lasting damage to critical infrastructure. The offensive, which included more than 70 missiles and over 100 attack drones, hit multiple regions, including Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Kyiv. Ukrainian forces managed to intercept 59 missiles and 54 drones, according to military reports.
In Kharkiv, near the Russian border, seven missile strikes resulted in widespread fires, injuries to six civilians, and the destruction of residential buildings and civilian infrastructure. Regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov reported that half a million households were without heat, with temperatures hovering just above freezing.
The Dnipropetrovsk region also suffered fatalities, with at least one person confirmed dead. In Kyiv, rolling blackouts were implemented to stabilize the grid, as emergency power outages swept across the capital and beyond.
Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, confirmed that its thermal power plants had been severely damaged, making this the 13th assault on the country's energy infrastructure since February 2022. "Denying light and warmth to millions of peace-loving people as they celebrate Christmas is a depraved and evil act that must be answered," DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko wrote in a statement.
The timing of the attack coincided with Ukraine's celebration of Christmas on December 25, a shift made in 2023 to align with Western traditions and further distance itself from Russian Orthodox customs. Zelensky signed the law formalizing the change, emphasizing the symbolic rejection of Russian influence.
"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," Zelensky said.
Russia's Ministry of Defense claimed responsibility for the strikes, framing them as attacks on "critical energy facilities" that support Ukraine's military capabilities. Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko labeled the assault as another massive effort to cripple the nation's energy sector.
Neighboring countries also felt the ripple effects of the attack. Moldova reported that a Russian missile violated its airspace, prompting condemnation from President Maia Sandu, who called the act a clear violation of international law. Meanwhile, Poland scrambled fighter jets in response to a potential missile threat near its border with western Ukraine.
The strikes come on the heels of a deadly Russian missile attack on Kryvyi Rih, Zelensky's hometown, on Christmas Eve. That assault killed at least one person and injured 17 others, further highlighting Moscow's escalating efforts to target civilian infrastructure and housing.
As Ukraine braces for another harsh winter in the midst of war, its energy grid remains a critical target for Russian aggression. Kyiv has repeatedly accused Moscow of using terror tactics to freeze civilians into submission. Despite the ongoing attacks, Ukrainian officials vowed to repair the damage as quickly as possible.
