 "Massive outages in Ukraine after Russia hits energy sites, Biden condemns Christmas Day strikes")
It was a dark Christmas in several regions in Ukraine as earlier in the day, Russia launched cruise and ballistic missile strikes at energy sites in the neighbouring country which it invaded on February 24, 2022 that resulted in a massive power outage.
Dark & scary Christmas in Ukraine
Russia’s attack on Ukraine came when the latter officially celebrated Christmas on December 25 for only the second time, in a move to reduce the influence of the Russian Orthodox Church, which celebrates on January 7.
However, on Christmas Day, the Ukrainian military launched a nationwide air raid alert in response to Russian missile launches, prompting people to take shelter in metro stations.
As per Ukraine’s air force, the Russian missiles were fired at the eastern Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Poltava regions.
The Ukraine’s air force said that the strikes on Ukrainian fuel and energy sources included 78 air, ground, sea-launched missiles and 106 Shaheds as well as other types of drones. It further claimed to have intercepted 59 missiles and 54 drones, with 52 more drones being jammed.
‘Inhumane’
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the attack by Russia on Christmas day was not 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?” Zelenskyy said in a post on social media platform X.
“Over 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and more than a hundred attack drones,” the Ukraine’s President said.
‘Blackout in Ukraine’
Zelenskyy further slammed Russia and said that the target of the enemy is Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. “They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine,” he said.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Energy Minister German Galushchenko wrote on messaging app Telegram, “The enemy is again massively attacking the energy sector.”
Zelenskyy further said that as per preliminary reports, defensive forces managed to intercept more than 50 missiles and “a significant number” of drones.
Impact Shorts
More Shorts“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,” he said.
“We will restore the maximum. Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not spoil Christmas,” Zelenskyy said.
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.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) December 25, 2024
Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles,… pic.twitter.com/GMD8rTomoX
Destruction & loss of life in Ukraine
The governor of the Kherson region informed that one person had been killed and three more were injured over the last 24 hours.
At least six people were injured in Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine in the Russian missile assault, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said.
In a statement on Telegram, Syniehubov further said the attack caused “damages to civilian non-residential infrastructure.”
In central Ukraine’s Dnipro, at least one person was killed in Russia’s attack, informed Vice Prime Minister Oleksii Kuleba on Telegram. He added that heating was disrupted for 155 residential buildings and 500,000 people in the Kharkiv region were without heat.
Dnipro Governor Serhiy Lysak said there were widespread attacks and he accused Russia of “trying to destroy the region’s power system.”
Power outage in Ukraine
State energy operator Ukrenergo applied preemptive power outages across Ukraine due to a “massive missile attack,” leading to electricity going out in several districts of the capital, Kyiv.
Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, said Russia struck its thermal power plants, making it the 13th attack on Ukraine’s power grid this year.
“This year, it is the 13th massive attack on the Ukrainian energy sector and the 10th massive attack on the company’s energy facilities,” the company said on Telegram.
“Denying light and warmth to millions of peace-loving people as they celebrate Christmas is a depraved and evil act that must be answered,” Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK wrote on his X account.
Biden condemns ‘outrageous attack’
US President Joe Biden condemned Russia’s latest assault on Ukrainian territory as “outrageous” and vowed to continue supplying arms and weapon to Ukraine.
“The purpose of this outrageous attack was to cut off the Ukrainian people’s access to heat and electricity during winter and to jeopardize the safety of its grid,” Biden said.
I have directed the Department of Defence to continue its surge of weapons deliveries to Ukraine, and the United States will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen Ukraine’s position in its defense against Russian forces," the US President further said.
Washington has committed $175 billion in aid for Ukraine - although it is uncertain the flow of assistance will continue under Donald Trump, who will replace Biden on January 20.
With inputs from agencies.
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