Kyiv, Ukraine – Russia launched a massive missile and drone strike on Wednesday targeting Ukraine's energy infrastructure, hitting a thermal power plant and prompting Ukrainians to take shelter in metro stations on Christmas morning.
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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 strike Ukraine's energy sources.
“Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane?” Zelensky said. “They're still fighting for it blackout in Ukraine.”
He said that Ukraine managed to shoot down at least 50 missiles and a large number of drones.
Ukraine's Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said that Russia is once again “massively attacking the energy infrastructure,” in a Facebook statement. The Ukrainian Air Force noted several missiles fired in Kharkiv, Dnipro and Poltava regions in the east of the country.
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“The operator of the (electricity) distribution system takes the necessary measures to limit consumption to minimize negative consequences for the power system,” he said. “As soon as the security situation allows, energy workers will determine the damage done.”
Ukraine's largest private energy company, DTEK, said Russia struck 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 deplorable and evil act that must be answered,” wrote Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK on the account His X
Ukrainian state energy operator Ukrenergo instituted preemptive power cuts across the country due to a “massive missile attack,” which led to power outages in several areas of the capital, Kyiv.
At least seven strikes were aimed at Kharkiv, which sparked fires across the city, regional chief Oleh Syniehubov wrote on Telegram. At least three people were injured, local authorities said.
“Kharkiv is under heavy missile fire. A series of explosions went off in the city and ballistic missiles are still flying in the direction of the city. Stay in safe places,” said Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov.
Ukraine's power grid has been heavily targeted ever since Russia launched the full-scale attack in February 2022, with Kyiv accusing Moscow of “terrorist” tactics by trying to plunge Ukrainian cities into darkness and cut off heating to civilians all winter.
