Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy heavily criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for orchestrating the “inhumane” Christmas attack on Ukraine that left blackouts throughout the country.
“Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? ” Mr. Zelenskyy wrote in an X post Wednesday. “Over 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and more than a hundred attack drones. The targets are our energy infrastructure. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine.”
Russia attacked Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, marking the 13th major attack on Ukraine’s energy system by Russia and the 10th strike on DTEK’s facilities, DTEK, Ukraine’s biggest energy company said. One engineer was killed in the strike.
The strike included the use of 78 air, ground and sea-launched missiles, along with 106 Shaheds and other drones.
Mr. Zelenskyy wrote that data shows that defenders “managed to shoot down more than 50 missiles and a significant part of the drones. Unfortunately, there are hits. As of now, there are blackouts in several regions.”
Reportedly, half a million households were left without heat in the Kharkiv region.
“There are no depths to which Russia will not sink. Denying light and warmth to millions of peace-loving people as they celebrate Christmas is a depraved and evil act that must be answered,” DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko wrote in an X post Wednesday. “We appeal to every ally of Ukraine to end this state-sponsored terrorism now by giving our armed forces the air defense ammunition they need to protect essential energy infrastructure.”
However, in Russia, one woman died and three people were wounded after a downed drone caused a fire in a shopping mall in Vladikavkaz.
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, also condemned the attack Wednesday.
“Christmas should be a time of peace, yet Ukraine was brutally attacked on Christmas Day,” he wrote on X. “Launching large-scale missile and drone attacks on the day of the Lord’s birth is wrong. The world is closely watching actions on both sides. The U.S. is more resolved than ever to bring peace to the region.”
• This story is based in part on wire service reports.
• Mallory Wilson can be reached at mwilson@washingtontimes.com.
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