Russia fires dozens cruise and ballistic missiles at Ukraine on Christmas Day, damaging critical infrustructure and injuring civilians. All details

On the night of Wednesday, December 25, the aggressor country Russia scrambled strategic aviation - a group of Tu-95MS bombers took off from the Olenya airfield in the Murmansk region. They were heading south, launching missiles at about 04:30

After 6 a.m., explosions were heard in Kharkiv and Dnipro, and there were reports of damage to equipment at power facilities in Ivano-Frankivsk and Vinnytsia regions. Civilians were injuried and a number of them were left without electricity.

The Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that Russia was preparing for a massive attack at night.

"A group of Tu-95MS was spotted taking off from the Olenya airfield (Murmansk region, Russia), heading southern," the military said.

Also, according to monitoring channels, four Kalibr missile carriers were deployed in the Black Sea. Their total capacity is up to 24 missiles.

At 4:30 a.m., they reported possible launches of cruise missiles from Tu-95MS aircraft from the Caspian Sea.

About half an hour later, the Russians launched Kalibr missiles from Cape Miskhako in the Krasnodar Territory. The Air Force confirmed the launches from the Black Sea at 05:25.

Around 5 a.m., the occupiers also carried out additional launches from the Volgograd region and the Caspian Sea, so a combined attack using both cruise and ballistic missiles was staged about an hour later. At that point, the Russians had 7 strategic bombers in the air: 4 from Olenya, and 3 from Engels.

"We are expecting missiles from seven Tu-95ms and from the sea. The maximum number that could be launched is 28," stated Nikolaevky Vanek, calling on Ukrainians to charge their gadgets, as Russia will obviously target the energy infrastructure first.

At around 08:00, the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported Poland scrambled its aircraft because of the Russian attack on Ukraine.

Kharkiv and the region

At about 6 a.m., Russia launched ballistic missiles at Kharkiv. As of 06:06, monitoring channels reported at least 6 missiles. After that, there were more.

Explosions were heard in the regional center.

"Kharkiv is under massive fire. There were a series of explosions in the city and there are still ballistic missiles in the sky. Stay in safe places," Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov said at 06:09.

At 06:10, the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, reported at least 7 strikes on the regional center.

"Information about the victims and the consequences of the attack are being clarified," he added.

According to preliminary data, one of the hits, Syniehubov added, occurred in the Saltivskyi district of the city, with specialists on their way.

"Several fires broke out after the enemy strikes, there is damage to civilian non-residential infrastructure... Rescuers are working to eliminate the consequences. The threat of repeated strikes remains!" the head of the Kharkiv Regional Military Administration wrote at 06:28.

The first casualty was reported at the time too. A 39-year-old civilian man was hospitalized.

According to Terekhov, around 06:30, at least three victims were reported in the Saltivskyi district of Kharkiv.

Another victim was reported in Nemyshliansky one.

"In Nemyshliansky district, a private house was hit. One person was injured," said the mayor.

Hits were also reported in the Kyivskyi district of the city.

"There is a fire at the impact site, the windows of the surrounding buildings were damaged. Further information is still being clarified," Terekhov said.

The Kharkiv regional police noted that as of 07:25 they had information about three victims in Kharkiv, two of whom were taken to the hospital.

"Around six o'clock in the morning on December 25, the enemy started shelling the city. There were hits in Saltivskyi and Kyivskyi districts. Three men aged 39, 45 and 46 sustained shrapnel wounds, one of them received medical aid at the site, and the others were hospitalized. Residential buildings, civilian infrastructure and private cars were damaged. Fires broke out," the statement said.

As of 08:13, Syniehubov said that six people were injured in three districts of Kharkiv as a result of the shelling.

"From 06:00 to 06:29, the enemy fired missiles at the city of Kharkiv. We recorded hits in the Saltivskyi, Kyivskyi and Nemyshlianskyi districts. As of this moment, there are six casualties. Several fires broke out in non-residential buildings, and rescuers continue the work to eliminate the consequences of the attack," he wrote.

Police, rescuers, volunteers and medics are working at the impact sites.

"Procesutors have opened criminal proceedings over violations of the laws and customs of war under Part 1 of Article 438 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine," the regional police said.

According to Nikolaevky Vanek, Russia most likely used S300/s400 to attack Kharkiv.

Dnipropetrovsk region

At around 06:30, explosions were heard in Dnipro.

"Since morning, the Russian army has been targeting Dnipropetrovsk region. They are trying to destroy the region's power system. Stay in a safe place until the air raid alert is over. Take care of yourselves!" urged Serhiy Lysak, head of the Dnipro Regional State Administration.

Kyiv

In Kyiv, after the alert was announced, citizens hid in the subway in search of protection from enemy terror.

Ivano-Frankivsk region

"There are no hits or debris fall in the region! However, there may be power outages and poor connection in certain areas!" Ruslan Martsynkiv, the mayor of Ivano-Frankivsk, described the situation at 08:00.

In general, no hits were recorded in the region.

"During the morning attack, the enemy targeted Prykarpattia. As a result, part of the region is left without power supply. Fortunately, there were no casualties. Experts are working to eliminate the consequences. I am grateful to each of them!" said Svitlana Onishchuk, head of Ivano-Frankivsk Regional Military Administration.

Vinnytsia region

The energy facilities of the region were under fire, and there is destruction.

"As of this morning, thanks to the coordinated work of power engineers, all consumers have been reconnected. I thank all everyone for their responsiveness," said Natalia Zabolotna, First Deputy Head of Vinnytsia Regional State Administration.

Russia, as usual, targeted Ukraine's energy sector

At 06:24, Ukrenergo announced the preventive measures to limit electricity consumption across the country due to a massive enemy attack.

"Check the website and official pages of your power company for the blackouts schedules in your region," they advised.

This time, as in previous attacks, the invaders targeted Ukraine's power system.

"The enemy is massively attacking the energy sector again. The transmission system operator (TSO) is taking the necessary measures to limit consumption to minimize the negative consequences for the power system. As soon as the situation allows, the power engineers will clarify the damage caused. Follow the official announcements. Stay in shelters while the danger lasts!" wrote Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko.

In particular, the state energy and power company (DTEK) reported serious damage to equipment.

"Today, Russia has carried out another massive terrorist attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. The thermal power plants of the state-owned company were attacked. As a result, the equipment of the TPPs was seriously damaged. After the shelling ended, the power company promptly began to repair it," the statement said.

Nikolaevsky Vanek called the morning shelling "unique": in addition to strikes on the energy sector, the Russians also tried to hit heat and gas supply facilities.

"There will be problems with electricity as there is significant damage to the facilities in some places (from what I know so far). Then it's up to the power companies, as always," he wrote.

Another "peculiarity", according to the Telegram channel, is that today the missiles "flew through the Pokrovsk area" for the first time after a long break.

As reported, on Tuesday, December 24, Russian troops hit a residential building in Kryvyi Rih with a ballistic missile. As a result of this attack, one man was killed. There were also injured, including a minor, with several people rescued from under the rubble.

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