Christmas cancellations in Ukraine after “massive” Russian attack

LONDON– On the night of Christmas Day, Ukrainians faced renewed Russian drone and missile attacks on energy infrastructure across the country. The energy minister in Kyiv warned of immediate power outages.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky wrote on Telegram: “Any major Russian attack takes time to prepare. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a conscious choice not only of the goals but also of the time and date.”

Russian President Vladimir Putin, said Zelensky, “deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhumane? More than 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and more than a hundred attack drones. The goals are our energy sector. They continue to fight for a power outage in Ukraine.”

“According to preliminary information, our defenders managed to shoot down more than 50 missiles and a significant part of the drones,” Zelensky said. “Unfortunately there are hits. There are currently outages in several regions. Energy workers are working to restore power as quickly as possible.”

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia fired 78 missiles of various types into the country, of which 59 were shot down. Russia also launched 106 attack drones, of which 54 were shot down and 52 were lost in flight, the Air Force added.

“The enemy is once again making a massive attack on energy,” Energy Minister German Galushchenko wrote in a statement posted on Facebook early Wednesday. He added that grid operators “implemented necessary measures to limit consumption to minimize negative consequences for the energy system.”

If the security situation allows, “the energy suppliers will specify the damage caused,” Galushchenko added. “Stay tuned for official announcements. As long as the danger persists – stay in emergency shelters!”

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said in a statement posted on X: “This Christmas terror is Putin’s answer to those who spoke of an illusionary ‘Christmas truce’.”

“A Russian missile flew over Moldovan and Romanian airspace, reminding that Russia is not only threatening Ukraine,” Sybiha added.

The Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement posted on Telegram that it “carried out a massive attack using long-range precision weapons and attack drones on critical energy infrastructure facilities in Ukraine that ensure the operation of the military-industrial complex.”

“The aim of the strike has been achieved,” the ministry said. “All facilities have been taken.”

The ministry said its forces also shot down 59 Ukrainian drones overnight.

This year Ukraine officially celebrates Christmas on December 25th for the second time. Previously, many Ukrainians celebrated Christmas in January according to the Orthodox calendar, as Russian Orthodox adherents still do.

“For the second time we celebrate Christmas on the same day as a big family, a country,” Zelensky wrote on Telegram on Tuesday. “For the second time in modern history, Christmas unites all Ukrainians.”

“Today we stand side by side and will not be lost,” Zelensky added. “In person, from a distance or in our hearts – Ukrainians are together today. And as long as we do that, evil has no chance.”