Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on Wednesday condemned Russia's "inhumane" Christmas Day assault, which involved over 170 missiles and drones targeting Ukraine’s power grid. The attack killed one person and caused widespread blackouts across the war-torn country.

At 5:30 a.m. (0330 GMT), Ukrainians awoke to air raid alarms, followed by reports from the air force that Russia had launched Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea.

“Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhumane?” Zelensky said. “More than 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and over a hundred attack drones targeted our energy system.”

This marked the 13th major strike on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure this year, as part of Russia’s winter campaign to cripple the nation’s power grid.

One Russian missile reportedly violated Moldovan and Romanian airspace, a move Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga described as “Christmas terror.”

Ukraine’s air force managed to intercept and destroy more than 50 missiles, according to Zelensky. However, some missiles hit their targets, leaving multiple regions without electricity.

Ukraine’s energy company DTEK reported significant damage to thermal power plant equipment. “Denying light and warmth to millions celebrating Christmas is a depraved act,” said DTEK CEO Maxim Timchenko, urging Ukraine's allies to provide more air defense systems.

Engineers worked urgently to restore power, as regional officials reported outages. “Christmas morning has once again shown that nothing is sacred for the aggressor,” said Svitlana Onyshchuk, head of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, where parts remained without electricity during the holiday.

Ukraine officially marked Christmas on December 25 for the second consecutive year after shifting the date from January 7—when most Orthodox Christians celebrate—in a symbolic move distancing itself from Russia.

The attacks concentrated on central Dnipropetrovsk, where governor Sergiy Lysak reported Russia’s efforts to destroy the region’s power grid. At least one person was killed in the region, Lysak said.

In Kryvyi Rig, a missile strike the day prior killed one person and injured 17 others, with rescue operations now complete.

Kharkiv, Ukraine's second-largest city near the Russian border, suffered 12 missile strikes targeting boiler houses, thermal power plants, and other energy facilities. Four people were injured, and heating was disrupted in parts of the city, according to mayor Igor Terekhov.

Governor Oleg Synegubov added that authorities evacuated 46 residents from areas near Borivske and Kupiansk, where Russian forces aim to regain territory lost to Ukraine in a September 2022 counteroffensive.

Along the Kharkiv and Donetsk fronts, Ukrainian troops are under pressure, ceding some ground to better-equipped Russian forces. In Donetsk, Russian attacks killed one resident the previous day, governor Vadym Filashkin reported.

Both sides are racing to strengthen their positions amid shifting global dynamics. Ukraine remains focused on securing additional aid from allies to counter aerial strikes and push back Russian forces.

“I am grateful to everyone protecting our country, defending our skies, and working tirelessly,” Zelensky said. “Russian evil will not break Ukraine or ruin Christmas.”