Zelensky condemns “inhumane” Russia Christmas Day attack

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelensky, says Russia made a “conscious” choice to launch a major threat to his country’s electronic security system on Christmas Day.

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

It said there were casualties as a result of the strike, but did not provide figures.

Moscow confirmed the attack and said its mission had been achieved.

The attack led to power cuts across the country, including the capital Kyiv, where some people took shelter in metro stations.

Russia’s Defense Ministry has confirmed that its forces carried out a “massive strike” on “critical” electronics in Ukraine.

It also said that the strike has been successful and all objectives have been achieved.

This was the 13th major attack on Ukraine’s energy sector this year, the country’s largest utility company, DTEK, said.

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

In response to Wednesday’s attack, Zelensky said the timing of the attack was a “conscious decision”.

He called them “people without humanity” and said that work is being done to restore power as soon as possible.

“Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not interfere with Christmas”, he added.

This is the second time Ukraine celebrates Christmas on December 25. They followed the Julian calendar, like 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 or heat in freezing temperatures, the regional governor said.

Ukrainians across the country awoke to the sound of airplane alarms, and were told to go to sleep as the terrorist attacks took place in the morning.

Residents of Kyiv hid in metro stations, with one resident telling Reuters he was angry and scared.

“Of course, I want to stay at home and celebrate, but we had to hide because it’s dangerous to stay at home,” said Sofiia Lytvynenko.

Another resident of Kyiv, Oleksandra, said that despite the attack, “Christmas is not over”.

He told Reuters he planned to enjoy Ukrainian food and drink with family and friends after leaving the house.

Ukraine’s state-owned power company, Ukrenergo, warned Ukrainians that the power cuts would last until the end of the day.

It has implemented service restrictions while it attempts to restore service.

Meanwhile, the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Andrii Sybiha, described the protests as “Christmas threats”.

He said the Russian missile passed through Moldovan and Romanian airspace “to remind that Russia is threatening not only Ukraine”.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the boycott and confirmed that a missile had been found in the country’s airspace.

Romania says it has not found a missile in its airspace.

Elsewhere, four people were killed and five others were injured by Ukrainian bullets in the Kursk region of Russia, according to the acting consul in the region.