ReutersUkrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia made a “conscious choice” to launch a major attack on his country's energy infrastructure on Christmas Day.
The Ukrainian Air Force said it detected 184 missiles and drones, but many of them were shot down or missed their targets.
She added that the raids resulted in casualties, but did not give numbers.
Moscow confirmed the attack and said its goal had been achieved.
The attack led to a power outage across the country, including the capital, Kiev, where some residents took refuge in metro stations.
Russian Defense confirmed that its forces carried out a “large-scale strike” on “vital” energy facilities in Ukraine.
He added that the strike was successful and all targets were hit.
DTEK, the country's largest private energy company, said this was the 13th major attack on Ukraine's energy sector this year.
In September, President Zelensky said that 80% of Ukraine's energy infrastructure had been destroyed by Russian bombs.
In response to Wednesday's attacks, Zelensky said the timing of the attacks was a “conscious choice.”
He described them as “inhuman” and said that work was being done to restore power as quickly as possible.
He added, “Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not distort Christmas.”
This is the second time that Ukraine celebrates Christmas Day on December 25. It has traditionally followed the Julian calendar, like Russia, where Christmas falls on January 7th.
ReutersThe regional governor said that the attack in the northeastern city of Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine, left half a million people without water, electricity or heating in extremely cold temperatures.
Ukrainians across the country woke up to the sound of air raid alarms and were told to take cover as the attacks occurred in the morning.
Kiev residents took refuge in metro stations, and one local resident told Reuters news agency that she felt angry and afraid.
“Of course, I want to be home and celebrate, but we had to shelter in place because staying at home is scary,” Sofia Litvinenko said.
Oleksandra, a Kiev resident, said that despite the attack, “Christmas has not been cancelled.”
She told Reuters she plans to enjoy traditional Ukrainian food and drink with family and friends after it is safe to leave the shelter.
Ukrainian state-owned energy company, Ukrainergo, warned Ukrainians that power outages could last at least until the end of the day.
He imposed usage restrictions while trying to restore service.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sepha described the strikes as a “Christmas horror.”
He added that a Russian missile passed through the airspace of Moldova and Romania, “reminding that Russia does not only threaten Ukraine.”
Moldova's President Maia Sandu condemned the attack and confirmed the discovery of a missile in the country's airspace.
Romania said it had not detected a missile in its airspace.
Elsewhere, four people were killed and five others were injured as a result of Ukrainian bombing in the Russian Kursk region, according to the acting governor of the region.
