Russia launched a massive attack on several Ukrainian cities overnight on Monday, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, a day after he warned of strikes over the Christmas period.
At least three people were killed, including a four-year-old child, while energy infrastructure was also targeted, leaving several regions without power.
Russia reportedly deployed more than 600 drones and 30 missiles, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Zelensky emphasized, People simply want to be with their families, at home, and safe during the festive season, highlighting the brutal reality posed by the assaults that contradict ongoing peace discussions.
He stated: Putin still cannot accept that he must stop killing. And that means that the world is not putting enough pressure on Russia. Prior warnings from Zelensky noted the Kremlin's propensity for significant attacks during the holiday period.
Reports confirmed the child's death in the central Zhytomyr region, where local officials lamented unsuccessful efforts to save her. Additional fatalities included a 76-year-old woman and a 72-year-old man from separate strikes.
In response to drone and missile threats on western Ukraine, Polish fighter jets were scrambled for aerial defense.
The Russian defense ministry claimed responsibility for targeting energy and transportation infrastructure, while Ukrainian sources indicated retaliatory actions against Russian facilities, including a petrochemical plant in Stravropol.
As winter looms, with plummeting temperatures expected, Ukraine’s energy operator warned of emergency power shutdowns and urged citizens to conserve energy. This marks the ninth such significant attack on Ukraine's energy system this year, causing extensive outages in several regions.
Recent Ukrainian strikes have put additional stress on Russia's resources amidst an ongoing struggle for control and territory. This attack signals a persistent and destructive pattern as diplomatic discussions continue with minimal success.
