Ukrainians began Christmas Day with yet another massive Russian missile and drone attack targeting energy infrastructure in six regions of the country. The authorities announced that an employee of a thermal power plant had been killed and several people injured on Wednesday, December 25. Hundreds of thousands of homes were left without electricity and heating, while temperatures were close to 0°C. "Putin deliberately chose Christmas for his attack. What could be more inhumane?" blasted Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelensky on Telegram.
This is only the second time in the country's history that part of the Ukrainian population has officially celebrated Christmas on December 25. The decision was taken in the summer of 2023 to distance the country from Russia, which, like the rest of the Orthodox world, celebrates the religious holiday on January 7.
The consequences of this 13th major attack on the energy system were still unclear on Wednesday evening. The main private energy supplier, DTEK, said its equipment had suffered "severe damage." As a result, the national power company, Ukrenergo, announced supply restrictions. Such power cuts have been imposed since Russia began regularly attacking the country's infrastructure with the aim, according to Ukrainians, of weakening public morale and paralyzing the country. The Russian armed forces, for their part, claim they want to undermine Kyiv's war effort by blocking industries and roads.
You have 50.94% of this article left to read. The rest is for subscribers only.