NATO was forced to deploy fighter jets to its eastern flank on Christmas Day as Vladimir Putin unleashed savage kamikaze missile and drone attacks on targets across Ukraine.
Russian fighter jets, missiles and drones attacked key civilian infrastructure, specifically power plants and supply networks, to leave long-suffering Ukrainians frozen during the festivities.
Moscow used its long-range strategic bombers, including the nuclear-capable Tu-95 ‘Bear’ aircraft, from the Olenya airfield in the Arctic.
Reports said Russian missiles had flown over Moldova – a sovereign state – and crossed the territory of Romania, a NATO country, causing the security bloc’s fighter jets to take off.
The operational headquarters of the Polish Armed Forces announced that its commander had “activated all available forces and resources at his disposal, pairs of fighters in service were mobilized and ground air defense and radar reconnaissance systems reached maximum status.” of preparation”.
Explosions were reported in several regions of Ukraine, and Putin attacked key civilian infrastructure, especially related to energy, as much of the country faced low or subzero temperatures.
At least six people were injured in a missile attack on Kharkiv in northeastern Ukraine, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov said.
The Ukrainian air force said ballistic missiles struck Kharkiv and Syniehubov said on the Telegram messaging app that there was “damage to non-residential civilian infrastructure.”
Vladimir Putin celebrated Christmas in Ukraine by launching missile strikes from his strategic air force bombers, combined with drone strikes. This image shows an explosion and fire in Kharkiv.
People take shelter in a subway station during an airstrike alert, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in kyiv, Ukraine, December 25, 2024.
Ukrainian servicemen from the 117th Independent Heavy Mechanized Brigade pray before a Christmas dinner heading to Pokrovsk on December 24.
Poland sent NATO fighter jets this morning to patrol NATO airspace (file photo)
Ukraine’s tilt towards the West is particularly clear amid the festive period: many people now celebrate Christmas on December 24 and 25, rather than January 6 and 7 as in Russia.
Putin evidently deliberately targeted seasonal festivities, and Ukrainian civilians were forced to spend Christmas morning huddled in subway stations and other bomb shelters.
But Russia has generally stepped up its attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector since spring 2024, damaging nearly half of its generating capacity and causing hours-long blackouts across the country.
Much of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second city, was left without heat due to Putin’s Christmas attack.
Water and electricity supplies were also affected, as were “many civil infrastructure facilities,” a local Telegram channel said.
The country’s largest private energy company, DTEK, said its generating facilities were attacked during the strike, causing “serious damage” to electrical equipment.
“This year is the 13th massive attack on the Ukrainian energy sector and the 10th massive attack on the company’s energy facilities,” DTEK said on Telegram.
The Iskander-M and Kh-101 missile attacks targeted kyiv, Kharkiv and Dnipro.
Reports say that around 20 explosions hit Dnipro this morning. More than five reached Kremenchuk and there were up to 15 in Kharkiv.
There were fears for the Burshtyn and Kryvyi Rih power plants, as well as gas storage facilities in Stryi, Lviv region.
Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko said: ‘The enemy is again attacking the energy industry en masse.
«The transmission network manager takes the necessary measures to limit consumption and minimize the negative consequences for the electrical system.
‘As soon as the security situation allows, workers in the energy sector will clarify the damage caused.
‘Stay tuned for official notifications. While the danger continues, stay in shelters!’
Dnipropetrovsk Regional Council Chairman Mykola Lukashuk warned: “Russian occupation troops are trying to plunge us into darkness and cold.”
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said his city was decked out in Christmas decorations for the first time since 2022.
“The outgoing year was extremely difficult for Kharkiv and for all of us,” he said.
‘The enemy terrorizes the city every day, but the spirit of Kharkiv, our spirit, cannot be broken!
‘Together we overcome difficulties, heal the city’s wounds and try to normalize our lives in war conditions. I believe that next year a just peace will come to Ukraine. And with it, restoration, in which each of us plays an important role.’
Moscow used its long-range strategic bombers, including the nuclear-capable Tu-95 ‘Bear’ aircraft, to launch strikes against Ukraine.
People take shelter in a subway station during an airstrike alert, amid Russia’s attack on Ukraine, in kyiv, Ukraine, December 25, 2024.
A patient receives first aid at a stabilization point on December 24, 2024 in Kupiansk, Ukraine.
kyiv residents attend the Christmas service at St. Michael’s Golden-Domed Monastery in kyiv, Ukraine, on December 24, 2024.
Ukrainian energy supplier Ukrenergo said today: ‘Due to a large-scale missile attack, measures have been taken to limit consumption.
“The schedule of power outages in your region can be found on the website and official pages of your regional electric company.”
After a Ukrainian attack on the Russian city of Kazan on December 21, Putin had said: “Whoever tries to destroy something in our country, no matter how hard he tries, will face much greater destruction in his country and will regret having done so.” tried.” anything in our country.’
In the rocket attacks in Kryvyi Rih on Christmas Eve, one person was killed and 17 injured.
The Russian anti-Putin resistance movement ATESH said today: “The occupiers are trying to ban Ukrainians from celebrating Christmas.”
‘Our agents in the temporarily occupied Ukrainian territories report that the occupiers have increased control over people celebrating Christmas on December 24 and 25 according to the new Julian calendar.
‘In companies, collaborators submit lists of these people to the SFS, considering them ‘potential saboteurs’.
‘The occupiers consider the celebration of Christmas on these dates as a manifestation of Ukrainian identity and seek to suppress any cultural traditions associated with the Ukrainian church and people.
“However, attempts to eradicate Ukrainian culture are doomed to failure.”