What’s New
The U.S. will continue to pump weapons into Ukraine, President Joe Biden has confirmed, after Russia launched what Washington condemned as an “outrageous” attack on Ukrainian cities and energy network.
“I have directed the Department of Defense to continue its surge of weapons deliveries to Ukraine,” said Biden.
Why It Matters
Ukraine is heavily reliant on U.S. and Western aid for its air defenses, which are designed to knock out Russian attacks. Kyiv officials have long said they need more air defense systems and the interceptors fired at the incoming missiles to shield its territory, but there is uncertainty whether the support will continue under President-elect Donald Trump‘s new administration.
The Financial Times reported earlier this month that Trump intended to keep the flow of aid into Ukraine going once he strides back into the White House next month. Newsweek has reached out to the President-elect’s transition team for comment via email.
Ukraine has traditionally marked Christmas on January 7, along with Russia. Last year, many Orthodox Christians in Ukraine celebrated on December 25 for the first time, shifting away from Russian customs toward Western conventions and widely seen as a snub to Russia and its orthodox church, which has endorsed Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
What To Know
Early on December 25, Russia attacked facilities propping up Ukraine’s fuel and energy sector facilities, using both missiles and drones, according to Ukrainian authorities.
Moscow used 184 drones and missiles, Kyiv’s air force said, including two North Korean-made KN-23 ballistic missiles, 12 Kalibr cruise missiles launched from the Black Sea, and more than 100 uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs). Ukraine intercepted 113 of the targets, including 55 cruise missiles and 54 drones, with another 52 UAVs failing to reach their intended locations, according to the air force.
The attacks homed in on energy facilities across the country, including the northeast Kharkiv region, central Dnipropetrovsk and Poltava areas and Ivano-Frankivsk, in western Ukraine. Russia said it had targeted “critical power infrastructure facilities ensuring operation of Ukrainian defense industry enterprise,” and that the objectives of the strike had “been achieved.”
Russia has consistently targeted Ukraine’s population centers and vital energy infrastructure with missiles and drones. It has increased its targeting of energy sources heading into the cold winter season in Ukraine, while making slow but steady gains in eastern Ukraine.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in July 2023 that he had signed a bill moving the official Christmas holiday to December 25 “abandon the Russian heritage of imposing Christmas celebrations on 7 January.”
Following the Christmas Day attacks, Zelensky said there were “power outages in several regions,” but that “Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not spoil Christmas.”
Ukraine said there had been casualties, but did not specify how many people had been killed or injured.
What People Are Saying
U.S. President Joe Biden, in a statement: “In the early hours of Christmas, Russia launched waves of missiles and drones against Ukrainian cities and critical energy infrastructure. The purpose of this outrageous attack was to cut off the Ukrainian people’s access to heat and electricity during winter and to jeopardize the safety of its grid. Let me be clear: the Ukrainian people deserve to live in peace and safety, and the United States and the international community must continue to stand with Ukraine until it triumphs over Russia’s aggression. In recent months, the United States has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles, and more are on the way. I have directed the Department of Defense to continue its surge of weapons deliveries to Ukraine, and the United States will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen Ukraine’s position in its defense against Russian forces.”
Keith Kellogg, President-elect Donald Trump’s Special Envoy for Ukraine and Russia: “Christmas should be a time of peace, yet Ukraine was brutally attacked on Christmas Day. Launching large-scale missile and drone attacks on the day of the Lord’s birth is wrong. The world is closely watching actions on both sides. The U.S. is more resolved than ever to bring peace to the region.”
Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelensky: “Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane? Over 70 missiles, including ballistic ones, and more than a hundred attack drones. The targets are our energy infrastructure. They continue to fight for a blackout in Ukraine.”
Russian Defense Ministry: “The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation delivered a mass strike by long-range precision weaponry and attack drones at critical power infrastructure facilities ensuring operation of Ukrainian defense industry enterprises. The goal of the strike has been achieved. All the targets have been engaged.”
Ukraine’s Energy Minister, Herman Halushchenko, on Facebook: “The enemy attacks energy again massively. The transmission system operator takes the necessary consumption restriction measures to minimize negative consequences for the energy system.”
What Happens Next
Ukraine will likely continue to receive air defense systems and missiles from its backers, while Russia pumps out more missiles and drones through its very active military-industrial complex. It remains to be seen how the return of Donald Trump to the White House will impact the war come January 20, after he repeatedly vowed to end the war in a day.
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