Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy strongly criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for orchestrating attacks on Ukraine's energy grid on Christmas Day. Zelenskyy denounced the attacks as inhumane, stating that Russia's objective was to plunge Ukraine into darkness. He confirmed power disruptions in several regions but assured the public that Ukrainian resilience would prevail, emphasizing that "Russian aggression won't shatter Ukraine or ruin Christmas."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy addresses media during the European Council Meeting in Brussels. (Pier Marco Tacca/Getty Images)
Russia's Defence Ministry confirmed the "massive strike," claiming it targeted energy facilities supporting Ukraine's military-industrial complex, asserting that all designated targets were successfully hit. The Ukrainian air force reported that the attacks involved a barrage of 78 missiles launched from air, ground, and sea, supplemented by over 106 drones, including Shaheds. While acknowledging successful strikes and resulting power outages, Zelenskyy affirmed that power engineers were diligently working to restore electricity supply. He reiterated his conviction that Ukraine would not be broken by Russia's actions.
Russian President Vladimir Putin conducts his annual end-of-year press conference in Moscow. (Alexander Nemenov/AFP via Getty Images)
The United States has provided substantial aid to Ukraine since the onset of the conflict in 2022. However, public and political opinion remains divided on the continuation of this support. President-elect Trump, set to assume office on January 20th, has advocated for a ceasefire and the initiation of negotiations. In a recent social media post, he claimed Zelenskyy and Ukraine are open to negotiations to end the conflict, citing significant losses of both soldiers and civilians. He urged for an immediate ceasefire and the commencement of peace talks.
President-elect Trump at Turning Point USA's AmericaFest in Phoenix. (Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
