VLADIMIR Putin launched a brutal missile and drone barrage on Ukraine, targeting key energy infrastructure and leaving millions in darkness during Christmas.
NATO forces were put into action as reports emerged of Russian missiles crossing into Moldovan and Romanian airspace, prompting Poland to scramble fighter jets and place its defences on high alert.
The attack disrupted Christmas celebrations across Ukraine, with families forced to take shelter in metro stations as air raid sirens wailed across the country.
In Kyiv, many spent the morning huddled underground, while power outages left Christmas decorations in Kharkiv darkened for much of the day.
Kharkiv’s mayor, Ihor Terekhov, expressed defiance, noting that the city’s resilience remains unbroken despite daily bombardments.
“The enemy terrorises the city, but the spirit of Kharkiv—our spirit—cannot be broken,” he said.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the strikes as an “inhumane” act, accusing Putin of deliberately targeting the holiday to sow terror.
“What could be more inhumane than attacking on Christmas? Russian evil will not break Ukraine or distort our Christmas,” Zelensky declared in a defiant address.
Over 70 missiles, including ballistic projectiles, and more than 100 kamikaze drones were launched in a coordinated assault early on December 25.
Ukrainian air defences managed to shoot down at least 50 of the missiles, but significant damage was reported across multiple regions.
Explosions rocked cities including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, and Poltava, with power outages and infrastructure devastation leaving millions without electricity, heating, or water during sub-zero temperatures.
At least six people were injured in Kharkiv, while one person was killed in Dnipro, where officials reported up to 20 explosions.
Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko described the strikes as another massive attack on Ukraine’s power grid.
He said: “The enemy is once again attacking the energy industry, attempting to plunge us into darkness and cold."
The missile attack triggered a swift response from NATO allies.
Poland’s Armed Forces scrambled fighter jets and activated air defence systems along its borders, while Moldovan and Romanian authorities condemned the violation of their airspace.
Poland’s military emphasised its readiness to ensure safety “even on holidays,” a stark reminder of the growing regional threat posed by Russia’s aggression.
This marks the second time in December that NATO member states have had to respond to Russian missiles encroaching on their airspace, further heightening tensions in the region.
Putin’s decision to attack during Ukraine’s Christmas festivities — now celebrated on December 25 in alignment with Western traditions —shows the Kremlin’s strategy of using psychological warfare to demoralise the Ukrainian population.
Zelensky pointed out that the timing and scale of the attack suggest a deliberate attempt to overshadow the holiday and deepen the suffering of civilians.
Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been under relentless assault since this spring, with nearly half of the country’s power-generating capacity now damaged or destroyed.
Sunday’s attack marked the 13th massive strike on the energy sector this year, according to state energy operator Ukrenergo.
Preemptive blackouts were imposed to mitigate the damage, but the widespread outages have left millions enduring freezing temperatures without reliable access to heat or electricity.
The international community has expressed outrage at the Kremlin’s continued targeting of civilians and critical infrastructure.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the missile strikes as a blatant violation of international law, noting that one missile even crossed into NATO-protected airspace over Romania.
Despite the devastation, Zelensky reaffirmed Ukraine’s resolve.
“Every Russian massive strike takes time to prepare. It is a conscious choice of targets, time, and date. But Russian evil will not distort Christmas, and it will not break Ukraine,” he vowed.
