Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday for launching attacks on energy infrastructure during Christmas Day. Zelenskyy condemned the attacks as “inhumane,” but stressed that they would not dampen the spirit of Christmas.
“Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas to launch this attack. What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and more than a hundred attack drones were used. The main targets were our energy infrastructure. They are persisting in their efforts to cause a blackout in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy stated in a post on X.
The Russian Defence Ministry acknowledged carrying out a “massive strike,” claiming to have hit energy facilities that supported Ukraine’s “military-industrial complex,” as reported by Reuters. The ministry announced, “The objective of the strike has been accomplished. All targeted facilities have been hit.”
Reports indicated that the strikes on Ukrainian fuel and energy sources involved a total of 78 missiles launched from air, ground, and sea, in addition to 106 Shahed drones and other types of unmanned aircraft, according to Ukraine’s air force as cited by The Associated Press.
Zelenskyy acknowledged the impact of the attacks, stating, “Regrettably, there have been hits. At present, several regions are experiencing power outages. Power engineers are working diligently to restore the power supply at the earliest.”
Despite the challenges, Zelenskyy reaffirmed that “Russian aggression will not break Ukraine and will not overshadow Christmas.”
The United States has offered substantial aid to support Ukraine in countering the Russian aggression that escalated in 2022. However, there remains a divide among American citizens and their representatives in Congress regarding the continuation of aid to Ukraine.
President-elect Trump, set to assume office on Jan. 20, has called for a cease-fire and the initiation of negotiations. In a recent post on Truth Social, Trump emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, “Zelenskyy and Ukraine are eager to reach a resolution and halt the ongoing conflict. They have tragically lost 400,000 soldiers and countless civilians. It is imperative to establish an immediate ceasefire and commence negotiations.”
Amidst escalating tensions, concerns have been raised about the possibility of a ballistic missile attack by Putin over the weekend. The situation remains fluid, with developments expected in the coming days.