ReutersUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia made a “conscious decision” to launch a massive overnight attack on his country’s energy infrastructure on Christmas Day.
Ukraine’s air force said it found 184 missiles and drones, but many were shot down or missed their targets.
It said that some people died due to the strikes but there are no statistics.
Moscow confirmed the attack and said its objective had been achieved.
The attack led to blackouts across the country, including in the capital Kyiv, where some residents took shelter in substations.
Russia’s defense forces confirmed that its forces carried out a “major strike” on “critical” energy facilities in Ukraine.
It went on to say that the strike was successful and all the targets were achieved.
This was the 13th major attack on Ukraine’s energy sector this year, said the country’s largest private energy company, DTEK.
In response to the latest Russian strikes, US President Joe Biden said: “The purpose of this horrific attack was to cut off Ukrainians from access to heat and electricity in the winter and to jeopardize the security of its grid.”
Biden – who will be succeeded by Donald Trump on January 20 – also asked the US Department of Defense to continue delivering weapons to Ukraine.
In September, President Zelensky said that 80% of Ukraine’s electrical infrastructure had been destroyed by Russian bombs.
Responding to Wednesday’s attack, Zelensky said the timing was a “wise decision”.
He called them “inhumane” and said that efforts are being made to restore power as soon as possible.
“Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not distort Christmas”, he added.
This is the second time that Ukraine celebrates Christmas Day on December 25. Traditionally it followed the Julian calendar, like Russia, where Christmas is on the 7th of January.
Nevertheless, a large number of Orthodox believers in the country will be celebrating Christmas as before.
ReutersIn the northeastern city of Kharkiv – Ukraine’s second largest – the attack left half a million people without water, electricity or heating in the freezing cold, the regional head said.
Ukrainians across the country woke up to the sound of air raid alarms, and were told to take shelter as the attack took place in the morning.
Residents of Kyiv have taken shelter in metro stations, one area told Reuters news agency that he felt angry and scared.
“Yes, I want to be at home and celebrate, but we had to take refuge because it’s scary to stay at home,” said Sofiia Lytvynenko.
Another resident of Kyiv, Oleksandra, said that despite the attack, “Christmas is not cancelled”.
He told Reuters he planned to enjoy traditional Ukrainian food and drinks with family and friends after it was safe to leave the shelter.
Ukraine’s state-owned electricity company, Ukrenergo, has warned Ukrainians that power cuts could last until the end of the day.
It has imposed usage restrictions while trying to restore service.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described these strikes as “Christmas terrorists”.
He said the Russian missile passed through Moldovan and Romanian airspace “which reminds us that Russia is not only a threat to Ukraine”.
Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the strike and confirmed that a missile was found in the country’s airspace.
Romania said it did not see the missile on its territory.
Elsewhere, four people were killed and five others were injured by Ukrainian bombs in the Kursk region of Russia, according to the acting governor of the region.
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