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Zelensky condemns 'inhumane' Christmas Day attack | Zelensky condemns 'inhumane' Christmas Day attack |
(about 7 hours later) | |
Many Kyiv residents sheltered in metro stations | Many Kyiv residents sheltered in metro stations |
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia made a "conscious choice" by launching a major overnight attack on his country's energy infrastructure on Christmas Day. | |
Ukraine's air force said it had detected 184 missiles and drones, but many were shot down or missed their targets. | Ukraine's air force said it had detected 184 missiles and drones, but many were shot down or missed their targets. |
It said there were casualties from the strikes but gave no figures. | It said there were casualties from the strikes but gave no figures. |
Moscow confirmed the attack and claimed that its goal had been achieved. | |
The attack led to power cuts across the country, including in the capital Kyiv, where some residents sheltered in metro stations. | The attack led to power cuts across the country, including in the capital Kyiv, where some residents sheltered in metro stations. |
Russia's defence confirmed its forces had carried out a "massive strike" on "critical" energy facilities in Ukraine. | Russia's defence confirmed its forces had carried out a "massive strike" on "critical" energy facilities in Ukraine. |
It added that the strike had been a success and all targets were hit. | It added that the strike had been a success and all targets were hit. |
This was the 13th major attack on Ukraine's energy sector this year, the country's largest private energy company, DTEK, said. | This was the 13th major attack on Ukraine's energy sector this year, the country's largest private energy company, DTEK, said. |
Responding to the latest Russian strikes, US President Joe Biden said: "The purpose of this outrageous attack was to cut off the Ukrainian people's access to heat and electricity during winter and to jeopardise the safety of its grid." | |
Biden - who will be succeeded by Donald Trump on 20 January - also asked the US defence department to continue delivering weapons to Ukraine. | |
In September, President Zelensky said 80% of Ukraine's energy infrastructure had been destroyed by Russian bombs. | In September, President Zelensky said 80% of Ukraine's energy infrastructure had been destroyed by Russian bombs. |
Responding to Wednesday's attacks, Zelensky said the timing had been a "conscious choice". | Responding to Wednesday's attacks, Zelensky said the timing had been a "conscious choice". |
He called them "inhumane" and said work was being done to restore power as soon as possible. | He called them "inhumane" and said work was being done to restore power as soon as possible. |
"Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not distort Christmas", he added. | "Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not distort Christmas", he added. |
This is the second time Ukraine has celebrated Christmas Day on 25 December. It traditionally followed the Julian calendar, like Russia, where Christmas falls on 7 January. | This is the second time Ukraine has celebrated Christmas Day on 25 December. It traditionally followed the Julian calendar, like Russia, where Christmas falls on 7 January. |
Still, a sizeable number of Orthodox believers in the country will be celebrating Christmas as before. | |
Damage was recorded to 74 buildings in Kharkiv, the city's mayor said | Damage was recorded to 74 buildings in Kharkiv, the city's mayor said |
In the north-eastern city of Kharkiv - Ukraine's second largest - the attack left half a million people without water, electricity or heating in bitterly cold temperatures, the regional head said. | |
Ukrainians across the country woke up to the sound of air raid alarms, and were told to shelter as the attacks unfolded in the morning. | Ukrainians across the country woke up to the sound of air raid alarms, and were told to shelter as the attacks unfolded in the morning. |
Kyiv residents sheltered in metro stations, with one local telling Reuters news agency that she felt angry and frightened. | Kyiv residents sheltered in metro stations, with one local telling Reuters news agency that she felt angry and frightened. |
"Of course, I want to be at home and celebrate, but we had to shelter because it's scary to stay at home," Sofiia Lytvynenko said. | "Of course, I want to be at home and celebrate, but we had to shelter because it's scary to stay at home," Sofiia Lytvynenko said. |
Another Kyiv resident, Oleksandra, said that despite the attack, "Christmas is not cancelled". | Another Kyiv resident, Oleksandra, said that despite the attack, "Christmas is not cancelled". |
She told Reuters that she planned to enjoy traditional Ukrainian food and drink with family and friends after it is safe to leave the shelter. | She told Reuters that she planned to enjoy traditional Ukrainian food and drink with family and friends after it is safe to leave the shelter. |
Ukraine's state-owned power company, Ukrenergo, warned Ukrainians that power cuts could last until at least the end of the day. | Ukraine's state-owned power company, Ukrenergo, warned Ukrainians that power cuts could last until at least the end of the day. |
It has imposed usage restrictions while it tries to restore service. | It has imposed usage restrictions while it tries to restore service. |
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the strikes as "Christmas terror". | Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the strikes as "Christmas terror". |
He said a Russian missile went through Moldovan and Romanian airspace "reminding that Russia threatens not only Ukraine". | He said a Russian missile went through Moldovan and Romanian airspace "reminding that Russia threatens not only Ukraine". |
Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the strike and confirmed that a missile was detected in the country's airspace. | Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the strike and confirmed that a missile was detected in the country's airspace. |
Romania said it did not detect a missile in its airspace. | Romania said it did not detect a missile in its airspace. |
Elsewhere, four people were killed and five others injured by Ukrainian shelling in Russia's Kursk region, according to the region's acting governor. | Elsewhere, four people were killed and five others injured by Ukrainian shelling in Russia's Kursk region, according to the region's acting governor. |