Zelensky Calls Christmas Day Attack 'Inhumane' Amid Power Crisis

Following a devastating Christmas Day attack in Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes on energy facilities as 'inhumane,' while the nation grapples with power outages and ongoing tensions.

On Christmas Day, a significant missile assault from Russia targeted Ukraine's critical energy infrastructure, prompting condemnation from President Volodymyr Zelensky, who described the strikes as a "conscious choice" of aggression. Ukraine's air force reported detecting 184 missiles and drones during the attack, with many intercepted or off target; however, casualties were noted without official figures being provided.

The Russian defense officials confirmed the strike, claiming it successfully hit all intended targets. This assault marks the 13th significant attack on Ukraine's energy sector this year, according to DTEK, the country's leading private energy firm. Earlier this year, Zelensky indicated that approximately 80% of Ukraine's energy infrastructure had already been devastated by Russian bombings.

Zelensky emphasized the symbolic timing of the strikes, labeling them "inhumane," and assured citizens that efforts were underway to restore electricity swiftly. "Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not distort Christmas," he declared amid the chaos.

The attack caused widespread power outages, particularly affecting Kyiv and the northeastern city of Kharkiv, where local authorities reported that half a million residents were left without water, electricity, or heating in subzero temperatures. As air raid alarms echoed across the country, many residents took refuge in subway stations. A local woman expressed feelings of anger and fear, saying, “I want to celebrate at home, but it’s scary to stay there.”

Despite the turmoil, some Kyiv residents, like Oleksandra, maintained a spirit of resilience, planning to cherish traditional holiday meals with loved ones once it was safe. Meanwhile, Ukraine's state-owned power company Ukrenergo warned that power restrictions might last until late in the day, as they worked quickly to restore services.

In connection with this event, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha condemned the strikes as "Christmas terror." He noted that a Russian missile passed through Moldovan and Romanian airspace, highlighting the broader regional threat posed by Russia. Moldova's President Maia Sandu reaffirmed the missile's detection within their territory, while Romanian authorities found no trace of the missile in their airspace.

This incident adds another layer to the ongoing conflict, which persists to impact both Ukraine and surrounding nations.