Ukraine is experiencing power outages in several regions following a massive Russian aerial assault launched earlier in the day, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X on Wednesday.
Zelensky said Ukraine was attacked by more than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, as well as 100 drones on Christmas Day, targeting the country’s energy infrastructure.
“Today, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane?” Zelensky wrote in an English-language post.
Russia continues “to fight for a blackout in Ukraine,” he added.
“According to preliminary reports,” Ukrainian forces were able to shoot down more than 50 missiles and a “significant number of drones,” Zelensky said.
“Unfortunately, there have been hits,” he added.
“As of now, there are power outages in several regions. Power engineers are working to restore power supply as soon as possible,” he wrote.
Several injured in ‘massive’ aerial attack
Air-raid sirens sounded across the country on Wednesday morning.
Russian Tu-95 MS fighter jets fired numerous cruise missiles at Ukraine over the Black Sea, according to the Ukrainian Air Force.
At least four people were injured in the north-eastern city of Kharkiv amid heavy rocket fire, according to the authorities.
Among them was a 39-year-old man who was wounded in the Saltivskyi district and taken to hospital, according to the region’s military governor, Oleh Syniehubov.
“Two other victims are in serious condition,” Mayor Ihor Terekhov said on Telegram.
In addition, one person was injured when a residential building was hit in another district.
“The Russian army has carried out at least seven attacks,” Syniehubov said, reporting fires and damage to civilian infrastructure as a result.
According to Terekhov, a fire broke out after the Kiev district of Kharkiv was hit.
Explosions were also reported from the eastern city of Dnipro, according to state news agency Ukrinform.
Due to the ongoing attacks, measures have been taken in Ukraine to limit electricity consumption, Ukrinform reported, citing the power grid operator Ukrenergo.
Fierce fighting reported over Pokrovsk
Meanwhile Russian attackers and Ukrainian defenders once again engaged in fierce battles over the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in eastern Ukraine.
The General Staff in Kiev said in its Wednesday evening situation report that 35 Russian attacks were reported around the city on the edge of the Donbass during the course of the day.
“Three Russian armies are concentrated here against us,” regional commander Viktor Trehubov was quoted by the news agency UNIAN as saying.
He stated, “The battles here are very intense because the Russian occupiers are throwing all available forces forward and trying to break through our troops’ defence lines.”
In the attempted pincer attacks on Pokrovsk, the Russian attackers reportedly suffered heavy losses. On the previous day alone, 133 Russian soldiers were killed, he said.
These figures could not be independently verified.
The Russian military is attempting to advance as close as possible to the outskirts of Pokrovsk and break through the defenders’ left and right flanks.
Trehubov described the situation, saying, “Since fighting in the city itself is very unpleasant, the enemy is trying to force battles in the outskirts to compel the Ukrainian forces to retreat and avoid a frontal assault.”
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