Zelenskyy condemns Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukraine as “inhumane”

Kyiv, Ukraine – Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones in Ukraine on Wednesday, hitting a hot power plant and sending Ukrainians fleeing to subway stations on Christmas morning, Ukrainian officials said.

Russia's Defense Ministry said it had carried out a “massive strike” on what it said were critical electronic facilities in Ukraine that support the work of the Kyiv military base, Reuters reported.

The Russian offensive left half a million people in Kharkiv region without heat with temperatures just above zero Celsius and blackouts in the capital, Kyiv, and elsewhere, Reuters said.

The strikes injured at least six people in Kharkiv and killed one in Dnipropetrovsk region, local governors said, according to Reuters.

In a statement on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that more than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than 100 attack drones were used to attack Ukraine's energy sources.

“Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack him. What could be more brutal?” Zelenskyy said. “They are still fighting blackout in Ukraine.”

Ukraine shot down 59 of 78 Russian missiles and 54 of 102 drones, Reuters quoted the Ukrainian military as saying.

“In the early hours of Christmas, Russia launched a wave of missiles and drones against Ukrainian cities and important energy infrastructure. The purpose of this tragic attack was to cut off Ukrainians' access to heating and electricity in the winter and to jeopardize the security of its grid,” said President Biden on Wednesday. “Let me be clear: the people of Ukraine deserve to live in peace and security, and the United States and the international community must continue to stand with Ukraine until it defeats Russian aggression.”

Ukraine's Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said Russia is also “heavily attacking the energy infrastructure,” in a Facebook statement. The Air Force of Ukraine noted several missiles fired in the areas of Kharkiv, Dnipro and Poltava in the east of the country.

“Those who work in the electricity distribution system (electricity) take the necessary measures to reduce their use in order to reduce the negative effects on the electricity system,” he said. “As soon as the security situation allows, the power workers will establish the damage caused.”

Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, said Russia had hit one of its thermal power plants, making it the 13th attack on Ukraine's power grid this year.

“Denying light and warmth to millions of peace-loving people as they celebrate Christmas is a depraved and evil act that must be answered,” wrote Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK on his X account.

Ukraine's state-owned power utility, Ukrenergo, has begun early nationwide blackouts due to a “massive missile attack,” resulting in blackouts in several districts of the capital, Kyiv.

At least seven strikes were targeted at Kharkiv, sparking fires across the city, regional head Oleh Syniehubov wrote on Telegram. At least three people were injured, local authorities said.

“Kharkiv is under heavy missile fire. A series of explosives have exploded in the city and there are still missiles flying towards the city. Stay in safe places,” said Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

Ukraine's power grid has been largely targeted since then Russia launched its all-out offensive in February 2022, when Kyiv accused Moscow of “intimidation” tactics by trying to blackout Ukrainian cities and cut off heat for the whole winter.