Kyiv, Ukraine — Russia launched a massive barrage of missiles and drones targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Wednesday, hitting a thermal power plant and prompting Ukrainians to take shelter in metro stations on Christmas morning, Ukrainian officials said.
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Russia’s Defense Ministry said it carried out a “massive strike” against what it considers critical energy facilities in Ukraine that support the work of kyiv’s military-industrial complex, Reuters reported.
In a statement on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said more than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than 100 attack drones were used to strike Ukrainian energy sources.
“Putin deliberately chose Christmas for his attack. What could be more inhumane? » said Zelensky. “They continue to fight for a power outage in Ukraine.”
Ukraine shot down 59 of 78 Russian missiles and 54 of 102 drones, Reuters cited the Ukrainian military as saying.
Ukraine’s Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko said Russia is “massively attacking energy infrastructure” in a statement on Facebook. The Ukrainian Air Force spotted several missiles fired at the Kharkiv, Dnipro and Poltava regions in the east of the country.
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“The (electricity) distribution network manager takes the necessary measures to limit consumption in order to minimize negative consequences for the electricity system,” he said. “As soon as the security situation allows, energy workers will establish the damage caused.”
Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, said Russia had struck one of its thermal power plants, making it the 13th attack on Ukraine’s power grid this year.
“Denying light and warmth to millions of peace-loving people as they celebrate Christmas is a depraved and evil act that must be responded to,” wrote Maxim Timchenko, CEO of DTEK, on his X account.
Ukrainian state energy operator Ukrenergo has introduced preventive power cuts across the country due to a “massive missile attack”, leading to power outages in several districts of the capital, kyiv.
At least seven strikes targeted Kharkiv, sparking fires across the city, regional chief Oleh Syniehubov wrote on Telegram. At least three people were injured, according to local authorities.
“Kharkiv is the target of massive missile attacks. A series of explosions rang out in the city and ballistic missiles continue to fly towards the city. Stay in safe places,” said Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov.
Ukraine’s energy network has been heavily targeted since Russia has launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, with kyiv accusing Moscow of “terrorist” tactics by attempting to plunge Ukrainian cities into darkness and cut off heat to civilians throughout the winter.