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 hardest hit, coming under “massive fire” from ballistic missiles, according to local authorities. At least six people were injured, Governor Oleh Syniehubov said.
Explosions were also reported in Dnipro, Kremenchuk, Kryvyi Rih, and the western city of Ivano-Frankivsk.
Russia launched 78 missiles and 106 drones, the Air Force said. Ukraine shot down 55 Kh-101/Kh-55/Kalibr cruise missiles and four Kh-59/Kh-69 missiles, as well as 54 Shahed-type drones and other types of drones, according to the report. Another 52 drones were “lost.”
“Every Russian massive strike takes time to prepare. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a conscious choice not only of targets but also of time and date,” President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Multiple cities in Ukraine imposed emergency blackouts following the attack.