Zelensky Criticizes 'Inhumane' Christmas Day Strikes by Russia

In a strong condemnation, Volodymyr Zelensky denounced the recent missile attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, characterizing them as a conscious and 'inhumane' decision by Russia, particularly during the Christmas holiday.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has sharply criticized Russia for launching a significant attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, labeling it an "inhumane" act. The assaults, which involved 184 missiles and drones detected by Ukraine's air force, led to power outages across the country, particularly affecting the capital, Kyiv, where many residents sought refuge in metro stations amid the chaos.

Moscow acknowledged the strikes and claimed to have successfully targeted critical energy facilities, marking the 13th major attack on Ukraine's energy sector within the year. The intensity of these strikes has exacerbated the already severe energy crisis, with the president previously estimating that around 80% of the country's energy infrastructure had suffered destruction due to earlier Russian assaults.

The timing of the attacks was heavily criticized by Zelensky, who stated that the strikes were calculated, intended to disrupt the holiday spirit. Despite the assaults, some residents remained resilient, expressing that "Christmas is not cancelled" and hoping to celebrate once it was safe to do so. Ukrenergo, Ukraine's state power company, has imposed restrictions while endeavoring to restore electricity, with forecasts indicating potential service interruptions throughout the day.

In the northeastern city of Kharkiv, the attack left half a million people without access to critical utilities, compounding the distress caused by the winter cold. Zelensky's comments also reflect concerns raised by Ukraine's Foreign Minister, who described the strikes as "Christmas terror," highlighting the potential risks that extend beyond Ukraine’s borders. Additionally, a missile allegedly entered Moldovan airspace, prompting condemnation from Moldova’s leadership, while Romania reported that no missiles were detected in its region.

The ongoing conflict continues to demand both national and international responses, with the situation remaining fluid and filled with human costs on both sides.