Kyiv, Ukraine — Russia launched a large missile and drone barrage focusing on Ukraine’s vitality infrastructure on Wednesday, hanging a thermal energy plant and prompting Ukrainians to take shelter in metro stations on Christmas morning.
Thomas Peter / REUTERS
In an announcement on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated over 70 missiles, together with ballistic missiles, and over 100 assault drones had been used to strike Ukraine’s energy sources.
“Putin intentionally selected Christmas for an assault. What may very well be extra inhumane?” Zelenskyy stated. “They proceed to struggle for a blackout in Ukraine.”
He stated Ukraine had managed to shoot down at the very least 50 missiles and a major variety of drones.
Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko stated Russia once more “massively assaults vitality infrastructure,” in a Facebook assertion. Ukraine’s Air Force famous a number of missiles fired at Kharkiv, Dnipro and Poltava areas east of the nation.
SERGEY BOBOK / AFP through Getty Images
“The (electrical energy) distribution system operator takes the mandatory measures to restrict consumption to reduce detrimental penalties for the ability system,” he stated. “As quickly because the safety state of affairs permits, vitality staff will set up the injury precipitated.”
Ukraine’s greatest non-public vitality firm, DTEK, stated Russia struck one in every of its thermal energy vegetation, making it the thirteenth assault on Ukraine’s energy grid this yr.
“Denying gentle and heat to thousands and thousands of peace-loving folks as they have fun Christmas is a wicked and evil act that have to be answered,” Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK wrote on his X account.
Ukrainian state vitality operator Ukrenergo instituted preemptive energy outages throughout the nation because of a “large missile assault,” resulting in electrical energy going out in a number of districts of the capital, Kyiv.
At least seven strikes focused Kharkiv, sparking fires throughout the town, regional head Oleh Syniehubov wrote on Telegram. At least three folks had been injured, native authorities stated.
“Kharkiv is beneath large missile fireplace. A collection of explosions rang out within the metropolis and there are nonetheless ballistic missiles flying within the course of the town. Stay in protected locations,” Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov stated.
Ukraine’s vitality grid has been closely focused since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, with Kyiv accusing Moscow of “terror” techniques by making an attempt to plunge Ukrainian cities into darkness and reduce off heating to civilians all through the winter.
