Russian Attack Leaves Half a Million Ukrainians Without Heating on Christmas Day

What Happened?

The Ukraine-Russia war continues to escalate following another massive attack on a thermal power plant. It left at least one person dead and half a million Ukrainian households in Kharkiv without heat on Christmas morning.

According to reports, the strikes on Ukraine's fuel and energy sources included 78 missiles launched from air, ground, and sea.

In addition to 106 Shaheds and other types of drones, Ukraine's air force claimed to have intercepted 54 drones and 59 missiles.

DTEK, Ukraine's largest private energy company, told The Kyiv Independent that Russia had attacked its thermal power plants, 'seriously damaging equipment.'

Residents affected were prompted to take shelter in metro stations after multiple Ukrainian cities had imposed emergency blackouts following the attack.

Why it Matters

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy took to social media following the attack suggesting that 'every massive Russian strike requires time for preparation. It is never a spontaneous decision.'

This comes as Zelenskyy states the idea behind an attack on Christmas is 'a deliberate choice' of war grinding on for Russian President Vladimir Putin regardless of the calendar.

Most Ukrainians reportedly celebrated Christmas on January 7, prior to 2023, before Zelensky signed a law formally changing the date as a way to further distance from Russian Orthodox Church traditions.

'Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane?' Zelenskyy added in his post. 'They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine.'

The attack comes just one day after at least one person was reportedly killed and 14 were injured following a Russian ballistic missile that struck Zelensky's hometown Kryvyi Rih.

Ukraine also launched an attack on Russia in Lgov in the Kursk region.

According to a report, at least four people were killed and five others were injured.

Russia’s Investigative Committee alleges that the attack was carried out with U.S.-supplied HIMARS rockets.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense said Wednesday that they had also shot down 59 Ukrainian drones over the past night.

According to DTEK, this marks the thirteenth time this year Russia has carried out a major attack on Ukraine’s power grid.

The Ukrainian-Russia conflict has not shown signs of slowing down after the two sides have only intensified their attack strategies.

President-elect Donald Trump recently pushed for Putin to act to reach an immediate ceasefire with Ukraine despite being weeks from taking office.

'Zelenskyy and Ukraine would like to make a deal and stop the madness,' Trump said in a post on Truth Social. 'There should be an immediate ceasefire and negotiations should begin.'

Putin stated last week he was ready to compromise over Ukraine in possible talks with Trump on ending the war.

How it Affects You

The war has ended many lives and destroyed many families in the process on both sides.

Trump suggests that China can help resolve this conflict between Ukraine and Russia as 'the world is waiting.'

The recent attacks on Christmas make hopes of reaching a ceasefire agreement much more challenging in the process.