Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Russia continues to target the country’s energy infrastructure, aiming to plunge Ukraine into darkness. “The targets are our energy infrastructure. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine,” Zelenskyy stated.
Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko reassured citizens in a Facebook post, explaining that the transmission system operator had implemented necessary measures to restrict energy consumption and minimize disruptions to the power network. These steps were taken to stabilize the energy system amid persistent attacks.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrei Sybiha took a swipe at Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, who previously supported the idea of a “Christmas ceasefire” between Russia and Ukraine. In response to recent attacks, Sybiha wrote on X (formerly Twitter), “This Christmas terror is Putin’s response to those who spoke about illusionary ‘Christmas ceasefire.’” Orbán had campaigned for a holiday truce during the lead-up to Christmas, a proposal that Zelenskyy firmly rejected during an EU leaders’ summit on December 19.
The recent strikes have left half a million people in the war-torn Kharkiv region without heating, while widespread blackouts have affected Kyiv, according to media reports. The attacks have further burdened an already strained infrastructure as temperatures drop during winter.
In a symbolic step away from Russian cultural influence, Ukraine in 2023 officially moved its Christmas celebration from January 7 — a date traditionally observed by the Russian Orthodox Church — to December 25. The shift underscores Ukraine’s efforts to assert its independence in religious and cultural practices.
Despite the ongoing challenges, Zelenskyy expressed resilience in the face of Russian aggression. “Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not spoil Christmas,” he declared defiantly.
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