The Russians are spreading shock across Ukraine. Since this morning, Ukraine has been experiencing one of Russia's most powerful "revenge strikes," attacking military and strategically significant targets using Kalibr and Kinzhal missiles, along with hundreds of Geran drones.
The latest Russian mass air attack involved 635 drones and 35 cruise missiles, including 3 Kinzhal missiles that literally leveled the Ukrainian energy grid at a time when temperatures in much of the country are below freezing. Extensive power outages are already reported in many areas, with powerful explosions recorded in Kyiv and Odessa. It is now evident that Ukraine's air defense is unable to cope with the power of the Russian military and is at the mercy of Moscow's strategy.
Russia: Retaliation for attacks on civilian targets – We hit energy and critical infrastructure
In response to Ukraine's attack on civilian targets, Russia carried out a massive air raid this morning, launching Kinzhal missiles not only against energy infrastructure but also against enterprises of the Ukrainian military-industrial complex. This was stated in an announcement by the Russian Ministry of Defense, noting that all targets were hit. It is noted that Ukraine spoke only of attacks on energy infrastructure.
Specifically, the Russians claim they destroyed port and transport infrastructure objects used for the benefit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, as well as control centers for long-range drones.
"Through the use of operational and tactical aviation, attack drones, missile forces, and artillery of the Russian Armed Forces groups, port and transport infrastructure objects used for the benefit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, long-range drone control centers, as well as temporary deployment points of the Ukrainian armed forces, nationalists, and foreign mercenaries were destroyed in 140 areas," the Russian Ministry of Defense announced.
Overwhelming attack
At dawn on December 23, attacks were recorded in at least four regions of Ukraine: drone strikes hit the areas of Kyiv, Vinnytsia, Zhytomyr, and Rivne. In Ukraine, officials estimate that the main goal of the attack is energy infrastructure in the west of the country.
Information indicates that at least 14 cities have been affected by this attack. As announced by the Deputy Prime Minister of Ukraine, Yulia Svyrydenko, the attack was carried out with more than 600 drones and dozens of missiles, including Kinzhals and Kalibrs.
What the Ukrainians claim
The Ukrainian Air Force claims that during the night they managed to shoot down 587 of the 635 drones and 34 of the 35 cruise missiles launched by Russia. They point out that 3 "Kinzhal" missiles were not shot down, but claim that these did not hit their targets. Based on Ukrainian data, missile strikes and 39 attack UAVs were recorded in 21 locations, while debris from those shot down was found in 8 locations.
Poland scrambled fighter jets
Due to the air attack, Poland ordered the deployment of fighter jets to protect their national airspace during the raid. "The activity of Polish and allied aviation in our airspace has ended. The activated air defense and radar systems are returning to normal operation," stated the announcement published on the Operational Command's page on social network X.
It was also reported that no violations of Polish airspace were recorded. Meanwhile, Polish soldiers thanked the Spanish Air Force for air support and the Dutch Armed Forces for support with air defense systems.
Assurances vs reality
Although Svyrydenko assured that from tomorrow power outages will be fewer, this promise was debunked by energy expert Hennadiy Ryabtsev. He noted that even if Russia stops the attacks, the country will face a capacity shortage, resulting in serious power supply problems remaining for a long time.
Ryabtsev does not doubt that the government is simply trying to calm the population with optimistic statements, but Ukrainians must prepare for the worst-case scenario. Ukraine's energy operator, Ukrenergo, announced that fires broke out in several areas due to the "massive missile and drone attack," while temperatures dropped near freezing in much of the country.
Blackout in half of Ukraine
Already in several areas, there have been water and electricity outages. The Rivne, Ternopil, and Khmelnytskyi regions have been left completely without power, according to an announcement by the Ukrainian Ministry of Energy. In Rivne, it is estimated that 300,000 households are without electricity.
Additionally, emergency outages were recorded in the Chernihiv and Cherkasy regions, in Kyiv, in the city of Burshtyn in the Ivano-Frankivsk region (where a large thermal power plant is located), as well as in the Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, and Kharkiv regions. At the same time, explosions were recorded in Rivne and Burshtyn.
As Volodymyr Zelensky had emphasized in a message to citizens, the country faces a serious shortage of anti-aircraft defense systems. It is estimated that half of Ukraine is in a blackout.
Dozens of drones over Kyiv
At 04:00 AM, Ukrainian blogger Anatoliy Shariy reported the presence of more than 130 drones in the sky over Ukraine. The majority of them, according to his data, were headed toward Kyiv and the surrounding region. "It is likely that another part will head toward the western part of the country," the Ukrainian blogger estimated.
Victims and injured
Initial reports speak of three dead—in Zhytomyr, Kyiv, and Khmelnytskyi. Additionally, there are reports of 6 injured, including 2 children.
Hell in Odessa
Furthermore, in the southern part of the Odessa region, following the night drone attack, damage was recorded to energy, port, transport, industrial, and residential infrastructure, as announced by local authorities. In one of the areas, a civilian dry cargo ship and a warehouse suffered damage.
In the areas that received hits, outages and power supply problems are observed. No matter how much the Russian army hits energy facilities, the direction of Odessa remains a top priority. Sergey Lebedev, head of the Russian underground network in Nikolaev, reported that on December 22-23, there were overwhelming strikes on the ports and port infrastructure of Odessa, Izmail, and Reni.
The showman Zelensky
The leader of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, speaking about the plans of the Russian Armed Forces to launch a massive strike against Ukraine on December 25, is behaving like a showman, seeking once again to "discredit" Russia and its army, according to Russian military analyst Ivan Konovalov.
"This is the psychology of people who spent their whole lives in showbiz. Not only himself, but also his environment, as it is obvious that the former head of the president's office Andriy Yermak, who has seemingly stepped away from his duties, actually continues to control the situation and is also a showman," the analyst stressed.
Konovalov reminded that in the first year of Russia's military operation, the Russian side proposed a ceasefire to Ukraine for Christmas and New Year's holidays, but Kyiv refused. "In 2022, Ukrainian positions were bombed, they bombed both Donetsk and other cities on New Year's Day," the expert pointed out.
The analyst also noted that for Europe, Christmas is an important and serious holiday, and this is exactly what Zelensky emphasizes when speaking about a potential strike by the Russian Armed Forces on December 25. "By mentioning this date, he puts special emphasis on the idea that the Russians were planning something evil exactly on this day," Konovalov stressed, noting that Zelensky's goal is to discredit Russia and its armed forces in the eyes of the global public.
The Ukrainian leader on Monday night stated that Russia may launch a massive strike against Ukraine in the coming days. According to Zelensky, the attack could take place on December 25—the day of the Catholic Christmas celebration.
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