Zelensky condemns ‘inhumane’ Christmas Day assault in Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated Russia made a “acutely aware alternative” in launching a significant assault on his nation’s vitality infrastructure on Christmas Day.

The Ukrainian Air Drive stated it detected 184 missiles and drones, however lots of them had been shot down or missed their targets.

He stated the strikes had precipitated casualties, however gave no figures.

Moscow confirmed the assault and stated its goal had been achieved.

The assault led to energy outages throughout the nation, together with within the capital kyiv, the place some residents took refuge in metro stations.

Russian protection confirmed its forces carried out a “large strike” towards “crucial” vitality services in Ukraine.

He added that the strike was a hit and all targets had been hit.

That is the thirteenth main assault on Ukraine’s vitality sector this 12 months, the nation’s largest personal vitality firm, DTEK, stated.

In September, President Zelensky stated that 80% of Ukraine’s vitality infrastructure had been destroyed by Russian bombs.

In response to Wednesday’s assaults, Zelensky stated the timing of the assaults had been a “acutely aware alternative.”

He known as them “inhumane” and stated work was underway to revive energy as rapidly as attainable.

“Russian evil won’t break Ukraine or distort Christmas,” he added.

That is the second time Ukraine celebrates Christmas on December 25. It historically adopted the Julian calendar, as in Russia, the place Christmas falls on January 7.

Within the northeastern Ukrainian metropolis of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest metropolis, the assault left half one million folks with out water, electrical energy and warmth in freezing chilly, the governor stated regional.

Ukrainians throughout the nation woke as much as the sound of air raid alarms and had been urged to take cowl because the assaults unfolded into the morning.

kyiv residents took refuge in metro stations, with one resident telling the Reuters information company she felt indignant and scared.

“After all I wish to be at residence and social gathering, however we needed to shelter in place as a result of it is scary to remain at residence,” stated Sofiia Lytvynenko.

Oleksandra, one other kyiv resident, stated that regardless of the assault, “Christmas is just not canceled.”

She instructed Reuters she plans to take pleasure in conventional Ukrainian meals and drinks with household and mates as soon as she is protected to depart the shelter.

Ukraine’s state-owned electrical energy firm, Ukrenergo, has warned Ukrainians that energy cuts may final no less than till the tip of the day.

It has imposed utilization restrictions whereas it makes an attempt to revive service.

Ukrainian Overseas Minister Andrii Sybiha described the strikes as “Christmas terror”.

He stated a Russian missile crossed Moldovan and Romanian airspace, “reminding that Russia threatens not solely Ukraine.”

Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the strike and confirmed {that a} missile had been detected within the nation’s airspace.

Romania stated it had not detected any missiles in its airspace.

Elsewhere, 4 folks had been killed and 5 others injured by Ukrainian shelling in Russia’s Kursk area, in line with the area’s performing governor.