'Putin chose Christmas': Ukrainians take shelter as missiles rain down
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Ukrainians sheltered in metro stations on Christmas morning as Russian missiles and drones rained down on their cities. Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure that he said sought to plunge his people into darkness. "Putin deliberately chose Christmas," he said on Wednesday. "What could be more inhumane?".
Russia's defence ministry said it carried out a "massive strike" on energy facilities that it said supported Kyiv's military. UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer said the strikes were "bloody and brutal...with no respite even at Christmas". In the east, Kremlin forces claim to have captured the settlement of Vidrodzhennia as they continue to make territorial gains.
'Christmas gift to Ukraine'. Regions across the country reported missile and drone strikes as Ukrainians spend another holiday season facing attacks on their power infrastructure. Kyiv's military said it downed 59 Russian missiles and 54 drones, but others made it through their air defences.
Strikes in Kharkiv wounded six people and left half a million in the region without heating, as temperatures hovered just a few degrees above zero. "Kharkiv is under massive missile fire. A series of explosions rang out in the city and there are still ballistic missiles flying in the direction of the city. Stay in safe places," Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov said.
