Missiles and Mistletoe: Russia's Christmas Assault on Ukraine

What Happened?

Russia launched a massive aerial attack on Ukraine on Christmas morning. Using cruise missiles to strike energy infrastructure across the country.

President Zelensky condemned the attacks as 'inhuman.'

'Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhuman? More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred attack drones,' the Ukrainian president said on Telegram.

The Russian offensive seemed to be aimed at causing blackouts throughout the country. Reportedly the attacks left half a million Ukrainians in the Kharkiv region without heating.

The region faced temperatures just a few degrees Celsius above zero (32 degrees Fahrenheit for the imperial-inclined). There were also reports of blackouts in the capital of Kyiv. Dozens have been wounded, and there have been a few confirmed deaths.

The attacks were quickly condemned by the West.

Why it Matters

The US ambassador to Ukraine, Bridget Brink, called the attacks 'Russia’s Christmas gift to Ukraine.' She continued on X, 'More than 70 missiles and 100 drones, directed at Ukrainian families celebrating in their homes and the energy infrastructure that keeps them warm. For the third holiday season, Russia weaponises winter.'

The UK prime minister, Sir Keir Starmer, also denounced the attacks, saying, 'I pay tribute to the resilience of the Ukrainian people, and the leadership of President Zelenskyy, in the face of further drone and missile attacks from Putin’s bloody and brutal war machine, with no respite, even at Christmas,' he said.

Since the start of the war, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine's power grid, and the country's generating capacity has been nearly chopped to half. These attacks mark the 13th successful attack on Ukraine's power system since the start of the war in February of 2022.

Only last month, Russia launched nearly 200 missiles and drones targeting Ukraine's energy grid. Ukraine has responded in kind with its own missile and drone strikes, which led to a fiery rebuke from Russian President Putin on Sunday, where he threatened Kyiv with 'more destruction.'

While peace talks have been discussed, neither side seems to be slowing down their attacks.

What it Means

The incoming Trump administration seems confident in its ability to end the war and bring peace. Both Moscow and Kyiv seem hesitant but open to beginning negotiations.

Though Putin has expressed interest in opening up talks, he stated last week that he was in no hurry to rush to conclude the war, which is approaching its third anniversary.

Although Moscow, Kyiv, and D.C. all have expressed varying degrees of interest in ending the war, it is unlikely anything will be resolved until the incoming administration is sworn in. Until then, both sides will likely continue jockeying for position until talks begin.