In Ukraine, no one expected a Christmas truce from Russian forces. Moscow’s substantial missile reserves foreshadowed further strikes. This Wednesday, December 25, the country celebrated Christmas under bombardment, for the second time in its recent history.
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Ukraine was expecting a missile attack, quite simply because the Russians still have a good stock of missiles to strike Ukraine: no one in Ukraine expected a truce for Christmas, reports our correspondent in kyiv , Emmanuelle Chaze.
The city of Kharkiv was heavily hit by several missiles this Wednesday, December 25. This attack comes as the city had, for the first time in a long time, turned on its Christmas decorations for the first time since 2022, in a gesture of resilience. Now Kharkiv is once again plunged into darkness as its energy infrastructure has been targeted.
In a message to the nation, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky denounced a massive attack “ inhumane », while Moscow launched more than 70 missiles and 100 drones on Ukraine on this symbolic day.
“ Kharkiv targeted by massive missile attack », Wrote Mayor Igor Terekhov on Telegram, specifying that ballistic missiles were still heading towards the city and calling on the population to stay safe. For his part, the regional governor, Oleg Synegoubov, confirmed that at least seven strikes had hit the city, injuring at least three people and causing significant material damage.
Other explosions were reported in Kremenchuk, Kriviy Rih – still damaged by an attack the day before, which caused one death and around fifteen injured – as well as in Dnipro. “ This morning I woke up to the sound of missiles whistling and explosions. A Christmas day I will never forget. », Testifies a mother from Dnipro.
A coordinated attack on the energy sector
Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko confirmed on social media that these strikes were once again targeting the energy sector. Kalibr cruise missiles, launched from the Black Sea, targeted several regions, including Vinnytsia, Poltava, Dnipropetrovsk, Kirovograd and Cherkassy.
The governor of Dnipropetrovsk said that “ Since this morning, the Russian army has been massively attacking the region, trying to destroy the electricity network. »
In response, the national electricity company Ukrenergo announced supply restrictions: “ The enemy is once again massively attacking the energy sector. We take the necessary measures to limit consumption and minimize negative consequences “, said Herman Halushchenko.
Since the start of the war in February 2022, Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has suffered repeated attacks, causing regular power outages.
Also readUkraine: Russia carries out massive attacks on the country’s fragile energy network
Moscow reacts to attacks on its territory
For its part, Russia claimed to have intercepted 59 Ukrainian drones the previous night, including 26 in the Belgorod region and 23 in the Voronezh region. According to Voronezh Governor Aleksandr Gusev, debris from downed drones damaged a power line and caused minor damage to several homes.
At the same time, Vladimir Putin reaffirmed on Sunday that any attempt at destruction in Russia would result in severe reprisals: “ Anyone who tries to destroy something in our country will face even greater destruction. »
In Ukraine, the extent of the damage from the strikes on Wednesday, December 25 remains to be assessed.
Also readUkraine: kyiv announces strikes on infrastructure in Russia, Moscow says it is nibbling ground in Kursk