Zelensky condemned the “inhumane” attack on Christmas in Russia

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says Russia made a “conscious choice” by launching a major attack on his country’s energy infrastructure over Christmas.

Ukraine’s air force said it detected 184 missiles and drones, but many were shot down or missed their targets.

It says there are casualties as a result of the strikes, but does not provide numbers.

Moscow confirmed the attack and said that its goal had been achieved.

The attack led to a blackout across the country, including in the capital, Kyiv, where some residents hid in subway stations.

The Ministry of Defense of Russia confirmed that its troops carried out a “massive strike” on “critically important” energy facilities in Ukraine.

He added that the strike was successful 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.

In September, President Zelensky said that 80% of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was destroyed by Russian bombs.

Responding to the attacks on Wednesday, Zelensky said the timing was a “conscious choice”.

He called them “inhumane” and said work was underway to restore electricity as soon as possible.

“Russian evil will not break Ukraine or distort Christmas,” he added.

On December 25, Christmas is celebrated in Ukraine for the second time. It traditionally followed the Julian calendar, as does Russia, where Christmas falls on January 7.

In the northeastern city of Kharkiv – Ukraine’s second largest – the attack left half a million people without water, electricity and heating in extremely cold temperatures, the regional governor said.

Ukrainians across the country woke up to the sound of the raid and were told to take cover when the attacks began in the morning.

Residents of Kiev hid in subway stations, and one of the local residents told the Reuters news agency that she felt anger and fear.

“Of course, we want to be at home and celebrate, but we had to hide because it’s scary to stay at home,” Sofia Litvinenko said.

Another woman from Kyiv, Aleksandra, said that, despite the attack, “Christmas is not cancelled.”

She told Reuters she plans to enjoy traditional Ukrainian food and drink with family and friends after she is safely out of the shelter.

The state energy company of Ukraine “Ukrenerga” warned Ukrainians that the power outage could last at least until the end of the day.

It has imposed usage restrictions while it tries to restore service.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Andriy Sybiga called the strikes “Christmas terror.”

According to him, the Russian missile flew through the airspace of Moldova and Romania, “reminding that Russia threatens not only Ukraine.”

The President of Moldova, Maia Sandu, condemned the strike and confirmed that a missile had been detected in the country’s airspace.

Romania said it did not detect any missiles in its airspace.

Elsewhere, four people were killed and five wounded in Ukrainian shelling in Russia’s Kursk region, according to the region’s acting governor.