Official announcements from the governments of Russia and Ukraine or international mediators

Russia Fires Over 70 Missiles and 100 Drones at Ukraine in 'Inhumane' Christmas Attack

Dec 25, 2024, 09:29 AM

On December 25, Russia launched a massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, targeting multiple cities including Kharkiv and Kyiv. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky reported that more than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and over 100 drones were used in the assault, which he described as 'inhumane' and asked, 'What could be more inhumane?' Ukrainian air defenses shot down over 50 missiles and a significant number of drones, including Shahed drones, but several energy facilities were hit. The attacks caused widespread power outages and forced civilians to seek shelter in metro stations on Christmas morning. The Russian Defense Ministry confirmed the strikes, stating they conducted a 'massive strike' with long-range precision weapons and drones on critical energy facilities supplying Ukraine's military-industrial complex. The Ukrainian Air Force reported destroying 165 out of 184 Russian aerial targets, including cruise missiles like Kh-101 and Kalibr.