US President Joe Biden has requested that the US Defense Department maintain its increased weapons deliveries to Ukraine following his condemnation of Russia’s Christmas Day assault on various Ukrainian cities and its energy infrastructure.
“The intent behind this unconscionable attack was to deprive the Ukrainian people of heat and electricity during winter and to threaten the stability of their power grid,” Mr. Biden stated. Republican President-elect Donald Trump is set to assume office on January 20.
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022, Washington has allocated $175 billion in aid to support Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky previously condemned the “barbaric” attack from Russia, which unleashed over 170 missiles and drones on the already war-torn nation’s energy grid on Christmas Day, resulting in the death of an energy worker.
“Putin intentionally chose Christmas for this attack. What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, alongside more than a hundred attack drones targeted our energy infrastructure,” Mr. Zelensky said.
This incident marked the 13th large-scale offensive against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure this year, continuing Russia’s pattern of targeting the power grid during the winter months.
A local resident reacts as she surveys her neighbor’s home, which was destroyed in a drone strike in Kharkiv.
In the meantime, Russia reported that five people had died due to Ukrainian strikes and a falling drone in the border regions of Kursk and North Ossetia in the Caucasus.
Ukraine claimed its air force intercepted 58 out of 79 missiles launched by Russia but did not manage to down the two Korean KN-23 ballistic missiles.
British Prime Minister Keir Starmer denounced the strikes.
“I commend the resilience of the Ukrainian people and the leadership of President Zelensky, who continue to face drone and missile attacks from Putin’s brutal war machine, even on Christmas,” Mr. Starmer said.
Kyiv also reported a Russian missile had traversed Moldovan and Romanian airspace; however, Romania asserted there was no violation, while Moldova announced investigations were underway.
‘Nothing sacred’
“Regrettably, there have been some impacts. Currently, there are blackouts in multiple regions,” Mr. Zelensky remarked.
Ukraine’s DTEK energy company indicated that the attack inflicted severe damage to thermal power plant equipment.
“Denying light and warmth to millions of peaceful citizens during their Christmas celebrations is a reprehensible and malevolent act that warrants a response,” DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko stated, urging allies to enhance air defense support.
Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Russia launched more than 70 missiles and conducted 100 drone attacks (file image).
According to Sergiy Lysak, governor of the central Dnipropetrovsk region, a Ukrainian thermal power plant worker was killed while 42 missiles were intercepted.
He also mentioned that rescue operations had concluded at the site of a strike in Kryvyi Rig, where one person died and 17 were wounded the previous day.
Engineers have restored electricity for residents in the Ivano-Frankivsk region.
“Christmas morning has once again demonstrated that nothing is sacred for the aggressor nation,” said Svitlana Onyshchuk, head of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, earlier.
Ukraine is officially observing Christmas on December 25 for the second consecutive year.
The government changed the date from January 7 last year, which most Orthodox believers celebrate, as a gesture against Russia.
‘Won’t ruin Christmas’
The Christmas Day attack also targeted Kharkiv, the second-largest city in Ukraine, situated near the Russian frontier.
Missiles aimed at the city’s boiler houses, thermal energy plants, and electricity facilities, as stated by Mayor Igor Terekhov, temporarily leaving 500,000 people without power.
An unexploded missile was discovered in a private yard in Kharkiv, according to Mr. Synegubov.
Governor Oleg Synegubov also reported that 46 people were evacuated from the Borivske and Kupiansk areas.
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Moscow’s forces are working to reclaim the town of Kupiansk, which was taken over during the conflict’s first year.
Ukraine regained control of Kupiansk in September 2022 as part of a rapid offensive that allowed its forces to recover significant portions of the Kharkiv region.
Outnumbered Ukrainian troops are currently in a defensive position across the front lines in the Kharkiv and Donetsk regions further south, yielding ground to better-equipped Russian forces.
Russia announced it had captured the small village of Vidrodzhennia, located just a few kilometers south of the crucial rail and mining hub of Pokrovsk.
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Both sides are racing to secure an advantage ahead of the inauguration of US president-elect Donald Trump, who has claimed he could swiftly resolve the war, sparking concerns that Washington might pressure Kyiv into a deal favorable to Moscow.
Ukraine continues to urge its allies for additional support to counter aerial assaults and repel ground troops.
“I am thankful to all who are working for our nation, who are on combat duty, and who protect our skies,” Mr. Zelensky said.
“Russian aggression will not break Ukraine or ruin Christmas,” Mr. Zelensky affirmed.
