Russia has launched a Christmas Day attack on Ukraine’s energy system and cities in its eastern region.

A barrage of cruise and ballistic missiles hit Kharkiv on Wednesday morning, Ukraine’s energy minister and local officials said.

Ukrainian air forces said Kharkiv was attacked by ballistic missiles and Governor Oleh Vasyliovych Syniehubov said on the Telegram messaging app that there were “damages to civilian non-residential infrastructure”.

At least six people were wounded in a missile attack on Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine on Wednesday morning, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said.

Ukrainian air forces said Kharkiv was attacked by ballistic missiles and Syniehubov said on the Telegram messaging app that there were “damages to civilian non-residential infrastructure”.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia had carried out an “inhumane” attack but pledged that ‘Russian evil’ would not spoil Christmas.

“Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhumane? More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred attack drones. The target is our energy system,” Zelensky said.

President  Zelensky said: “Every massive Russian strike requires time for preparation. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a deliberate choice – not only of targets but also of timing and date.

“They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine.

“According to preliminary reports, our defenders managed to shoot down more than 50 missiles and a significant number of drones. Unfortunately, there have been hits.