Zelensky condemned the Russian Christmas Day missile and drone attack on Ukraine.

Kyiv, Ukraine – Russia launched a massive missile and drone barrage targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Wednesday, striking a thermal power plant and prompting Ukrainians to take shelter in metro stations on Christmas morning.

Russia’s Defense Ministry said it had launched a “massive attack” on what it says are key energy facilities in Ukraine that support the operation of Kiev’s military-industrial complex.

In a statement on X, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said more than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than 100 attack drones were used to attack Ukrainian power sources.

“Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhumane than that?” Zielinski said. “They keep fighting. Blackout in Ukraine”

Ukraine shot down 59 out of 78 Russian missiles and 54 out of 102 drones, Reuters quoted the Ukrainian military as saying.

Ukraine’s Energy Minister Herman Hulshenko said in a statement on Facebook that Russia had once again “attacked massive energy infrastructure”. The Air Force of Ukraine has launched several missiles in the regions of Kharkiv, Dnipro and Poltava in the east of the country.

“The (electricity) distribution system operator takes necessary measures to limit consumption to reduce the negative consequences of the electricity system,” he said. “As soon as the security situation allows, energy workers will determine the damage.”

Ukraine’s largest private energy company, DTEK, said Russia had targeted one of its thermal power plants, the 13th attack on Ukraine’s power grid this year.

“Denying light and warmth to millions of peaceful people during Christmas is a vile and evil act that must be answered,” DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko wrote on his X account.

Ukraine’s state energy operator Ukrainergo has launched a nationwide power outage due to a “massive missile attack”, knocking out power in several districts of the capital Kiev.

At least seven strikes hit Kharkiv, sparking fires across the city, regional chief Olya Sanyhobov wrote on Telegram. At least three people were injured, local officials said.

“Kharkiv is under missile fire. A series of explosions started in the city and ballistic missiles are still flying towards the city. Stay in safe places,” said Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

Ukraine’s energy grid has been heavily targeted ever since. Russia launched its full offensive. In February 2022, Kiev accused Moscow of “terrorist” tactics by trying to plunge Ukrainian cities into darkness and heat citizens throughout the winter.