On December 25, 2024, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned what he termed a "inhumane" attack by Russia on the country's energy infrastructure during the Christmas holiday. Air raid sirens were activated across Ukraine at 5:30 AM local time, signaling the launch of cruise missiles from the Black Sea.
President Zelensky stated, "(Russian President Vladimir) Putin deliberately chose Christmas Day to strike. What could be more inhumane?" Reports indicated that over 70 missiles, including ballistic types, and more than 100 attack drones were deployed, targeting Ukraine's energy system. At least one fatality and six injuries were reported by Ukrainian authorities.
This attack coincided with Ukraine's second observance of Christmas on December 25, aligning with Western traditions instead of the January 7 date followed by the Russian Orthodox Church. This shift was formalized in 2023 through legislation signed by President Zelensky as a response to Russian aggression.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sibiga noted that a Russian missile traversed Moldovan and Romanian airspace, highlighting the broader regional threat posed by Russia. However, Romania stated it detected no missiles within its airspace.
The missile barrage marked the 13th large-scale attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure since the beginning of the year, part of a systematic campaign during the Northern Hemisphere winter. President Zelensky reported that over 50 missiles and some drones were intercepted, yet many projectiles caused power outages in various regions.
Ukrainian energy company DTEK reported severe damage to its thermal power plants due to the attacks. DTEK's CEO Maxim Timchenko condemned the strikes, stating, "Depriving millions of peaceful people of light and heat during Christmas is a depraved and evil act that we must respond to," while urging allies for more defense resources.
In Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city near the Russian border, local officials reported at least seven bombings, resulting in six injuries. The Dnipropetrovsk region also suffered casualties, with one person killed in the bombardment. Svitlana Onishchuk, governor of Ivano-Frankivsk, remarked, "Christmas morning once again shows that nothing is sacred to the aggressor nation." Power outages were reported in Poltava region as well, with authorities confirming damage to energy facilities.
Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko stated, "The enemy has once again executed a massive attack on the energy sector," and added that measures are being implemented to limit consumption to mitigate the negative impacts on the energy system.