Russia terrorizes Ukraine with mass missile, drone attack on Christmas morning
Editor's Note: This is a developing story and is being updated.
Russia launched a mass aerial attack against Ukraine on Dec. 25, targeting cities across the country with missiles and drones.
The northeastern city of Kharkiv was among the hardes hit, coming under "massive rocket fire" from ballistic missiles, according to local authorities. At least two civilians were injured.
Explosions were also reported in Dnipro, Kremenchuk, and Kryvyi Rih.
Multiple cities in Ukraine imposed emergency blackouts amid the attack.
The Air Force reported that Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers had taken flight overnight, and later announced that a number of Kalibr cruise missiles had been launched from the Black Sea.
A series of explosions were reported in Kharkiv after the Air Force warned of a ballistic missile threat against the city. At least seven missile strikes targeted the city, regional Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.
The attacks caused fires and damage to civilian infrastructure, Syniehubov reported. Two people were injured and have been hospitalized.
Located only 30 kilometers from the Russian border, Kharkiv has suffered relentless aerial attacks over the past two years of the full-scale war.
Mayor Ihor Terekhov on Dec. 24 announced that the city had put up holiday decorations and lights for the first time since Russia's February 2022 invasion. The decorations are "a symbol of (Kharkiv's) steadfastness," Terekhov said.
The mass attack follows a ballistic missile strike against Kryvyi Rih on Christmas Eve. The missile struck an apartment building in the city, killing one civilian and injuring 15 more.
A few days before, Russia launched five ballistic missiles at Kyiv on Dec. 20, causing fires, casualties, and damage to several foreign embassies.
Russia's attacks on Ukraine's critical infrastructure have intensified with the onset of winter. Russian President Vladimir Putin has also issued escalating threats in recent days, promising "more destruction" for Ukraine and suggesting that Moscow could launch an Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile (IRBM) against Kyiv.
Martin Fornusek
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