Ukrainians sheltered in metro stations on Christmas morning as Russian missiles and drones rained down on their cities.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the assault on Ukraine’s vitality infrastructure that he stated sought to plunge his individuals into darkness.
“Putin intentionally selected Christmas,” he stated on Wednesday. “What might be extra inhumane?”
Russia’s defence ministry stated it carried out a “large strike” on vitality amenities that it stated supported Kyiv’s navy.
UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated the strikes had been “bloody and brutal…with no respite even at Christmas”.
Within the east, Kremlin forces declare to have captured the settlement of Vidrodzhennia as they proceed to make territorial beneficial properties.
‘Christmas present to Ukraine’
Areas throughout the nation reported missile and drone strikes as Ukrainians spend one other vacation season going through assaults on their energy infrastructure.
Kyiv’s navy stated it downed 59 Russian missiles and 54 drones, however others made it by way of their air defences.
Strikes in Kharkiv wounded six individuals and left half 1,000,000 within the area with out heating, as temperatures hovered only a few levels above zero.
Firefighters work within the wreckage of houses in Kharkiv. Pic: Reuters
“Kharkiv is beneath large missile hearth. A collection of explosions rang out within the metropolis and there are nonetheless ballistic missiles flying within the route of town. Keep in secure locations,” Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov stated.
Within the capital, residents confronted blackouts whereas in Dnipro area one particular person was killed.
Dnipropetrovsk Governor Serhiy Lysa stated the Russian military is making an attempt to destroy the area’s energy system.
Sophia Sq., Kyiv, on Christmas Eve. Pic: Reuters
Ukrainians, marking their second Christmas since altering to have a good time on the identical day because the West, sheltered in underground metro stations because the lethal salvo of missiles soared in direction of them.
“Russia’s Christmas present to Ukraine: greater than 70 missiles and 100 drones,” US ambassador Bridget Brink stated. “For the third vacation season, Russia weaponises winter.”
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A navy chaplain conducts a Christmas Eve mass for troopers on the entrance line. Pic: Reuters/72nd Mechanised Brigade
4 useless in Kursk area
Within the east, Ukrainian troopers celebrated Christmas by candlelight as they ate collectively close to the frontline.
Combating continues to be robust in Donbas, as Russian forces push ahead and make regular beneficial properties.
On Wednesday, Russia’s defence ministry stated its forces had taken the settlement of Vidrodzhennia.
Troopers eat by candlelight on Christmas Eve close to the entrance line. Pic: Reuters/thirty third Separate Mechanised Brigade
Throughout the border, in Russia’s Kursk area, 4 individuals had been killed and 5 injured within the city of Lgov after Ukrainian shelling, the area’s performing governor stated.
“A five-storey residential constructing, two single-storey residential buildings and a single-storey magnificence salon had been critically broken,” Alexander Khinshtein wrote on Telegram.
Pope requires peace talks
Within the Vatican, Pope Francis talked about the conflict in Ukraine instantly throughout his Christmas Day message, calling for “the boldness wanted to open the door to negotiation”.
Chatting with 1000’s of individuals from the balcony of St Peter’s Basilica, he stated: “Could the sound of arms be silenced in war-torn Ukraine!”
He additionally known as for “gestures of dialogue and encounter, with the intention to obtain a simply and lasting peace”.
