During the night and morning, Russia unleashed a massive attack on Ukraine, deploying more than 650 drones, primarily of the Shahed type, and over thirty missiles. At least 13 regions were hit. President Volodymyr Zelensky shared this information on social media.
"A large-scale Russian strike on Ukraine is underway, particularly targeting our energy sector and civilian infrastructure. Over 650 drones have been recorded, with a significant portion being 'Shaheds', along with more than thirty missiles," Zelensky stated.
Currently, an air raid alert is in effect across much of Ukraine. All necessary services are engaged in addressing the aftermath of the attack.
"Regrettably, there have been casualties. A woman lost her life in the Kyiv region due to a drone strike. One person is reported dead in Khmelnytskyi, and a four-year-old child died in Zhytomyr region when a drone struck a residential building. My condolences to the families and loved ones," Zelensky added.
"A significant number of drones and missiles have been intercepted. More detailed information from the Air Forces will follow later as reports come in. However, there were also hits. Repair crews and energy workers are already on site to restore normal life for people in our cities and communities," he emphasized.
According to him, this Russian strike clearly indicates Russia's priorities.
"This attack occurred just before Christmas when people want to be with their families at home, safe. It also comes amid negotiations aimed at ending this war. Putin cannot come to terms with the need to stop the killings. This indicates that the world is not applying enough pressure on Russia," Zelensky stressed.
He called on the world to respond.
"We need to continue pressing Russia for peace and guaranteed security. We must remember that every day—both weekdays and holidays—Ukraine is defending the lives of its people. Air defense for Ukraine, funding for weapon purchases, and the supply of energy equipment are processes that do not take breaks on weekends. We must be committed to protecting life to finally achieve peace. Thank you to everyone who supports Ukraine! Thank you to every leader and politician who does not remain silent today and condemns Russia for its actions," he concluded.
Russia has aggressively attacked Ukrainian energy infrastructure, with emergency power outages implemented in several regions.