Massive Russian attack on Christmas Eve: victims in Kharkiv, explosions across Ukraine

Massive Russian attack on Kharkiv

At approximately 6 a.m., the Russian military launched ballistic missiles targeting Kharkiv, the Air Force reported.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov and the head of the Regional Military Administration, Oleh Syniehubov, confirmed explosions in the city. As of 6:10 a.m., at least seven explosions had been reported.

"Kharkiv is under massive rocket fire. A series of explosions have struck the city, and more ballistic missiles are inbound. Please stay in safe places," the mayor urged.

According to Syniehubov, one missile strike was confirmed in the Saltivskyi district of Kharkiv.

By 6:37 a.m., one casualty had been reported in the Saltivskyi district. Shortly after, the number of victims rose to three, with two individuals in serious condition.

"We have a strike in the Kyivskyi district. A fire has broken out at the impact site, and glass in nearby buildings has been shattered. Information is still being clarified," Terekhov stated.

In the Nemyshlyanskyi district, a private home was hit, injuring one person, according to the mayor.

The National Police reported that the explosions caused damage to residential buildings, civilian infrastructure, and private vehicles. Fires have erupted at several locations.

"Police officers, rescuers, medics, and volunteers are responding swiftly, providing assistance to victims, addressing the aftermath of the strikes, and documenting these crimes against civilians," the police statement read.

As of 8:13 a.m., the number of victims in Kharkiv had risen to six.

"We have received reports of an enemy attack involving a Shahed drone. A fire has been reported at the site of impact. Details regarding casualties are being verified," Terekhov added.

He noted that this particular attack struck the private sector in the Osnovianskyi district, igniting a fire in a one-story house.

According to Terekhov, Russia launched 12 missiles at Kharkiv on Christmas morning, all targeting boiler houses, thermal power plants (TPPs), and power plants.

As a result of the strike on the power plants, a significant portion of Kharkiv was left without heating. By 11 a.m., four people had been injured.

"However, we managed to ensure the normal operation of the city's electric transport. All our specialized municipal services will work to maintain heat and restart the heating system. We will work around the clock to restore normal life in the city as soon as possible," the mayor added.

Explosions in Dnipro

At approximately 6:30 a.m., Suspilne reported multiple explosions in Dnipro. Earlier, the Air Force had issued a warning about several missiles targeting the region and the city.

By 7 a.m., additional explosions were heard, followed by more detonations within the next 10 minutes.

“Since morning, the Russian army has been conducting a massive attack on the Dnipropetrovsk region, attempting to destroy the region’s power system,” stated Serhiy Lysak, head of the Regional Military Administration.

Later, Lysak reported that a person died as a result of the missile attack on energy facilities in the region.

According to him, in Dnipro, in addition to infrastructure, an administrative building was damaged. Windows in a nine-story building were also broken.

"A private house was also damaged. One outbuilding caught fire. Emergency workers extinguished the fire," he added.

In turn, DTEK clarified that their employee, 51-year-old Dmytro Petlenko, died as a result of the attack. The power engineer worked at one of the attacked thermal power plants.

"After conducting search operations, he was found under the rubble with no signs of life," the press service noted.

They added that Dmytro Petlenko had devoted more than 30 years to the profession of power engineer. He worked at the Zaporizhzhia TPP for a long time, and after the Russian occupation of Energodar, he got a job at another thermal power plant of the company, where he had worked for the past year and a half.

"A great loss for the family of Ukrainian energy workers," DTEK summarized.

Explosions in Ivano-Frankivsk region

At 7:33 a.m., Ruslan Martsinkiv, the mayor of the Ivano-Frankivsk region, reported that air defense forces were active in the area.

He cautioned residents about potential power outages caused by the Russian attack.

Later, Martsinkiv confirmed there were no missile impacts or fragments found in the community. However, he noted, “There are power outages, and communication may be disrupted in certain areas.”

Svitlana Onyshchuk, head of the Ivano-Frankivsk Regional State Administration, stated that during the morning air raid, Russia struck Prykarpattia. The attack left parts of the region without electricity.

“Relevant services are working to address the aftermath. I am grateful to every one of them! To all those who, day and night, on weekdays and holidays, defend our country and ensure we endure — thank you!” she said.

Aftermath in Vinnytsia region

Natalia Zabolotna, First Deputy Head of the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration, said Russia had struck the energy infrastructure again.

“As of this morning, thanks to the coordinated work of power engineers, all consumers are supplied with electricity. I thank all services for their efficiency,” the official said.

Falling debris in Kyiv region

Ruslan Kravchenko, head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration, said that 12 trucks, a cafe and 3 private houses were damaged in two districts as a result of the falling debris from downed enemy targets. 

Windows and doors were smashed, facades were cut and roofs were damaged. The homeowners will be provided with all the necessary assistance in their recovery. 

Explosions in Kirovohrad region

The head of the Kirovohrad Regional Military Administration, Andriy Raykovych, reported on the consequences of a Russian attack in the region.

"Another massive enemy attack. The enemy's target is critical infrastructure, including here in the Kirovohrad region. Unfortunately, there are consequences in certain communities," Raykovych wrote.

According to him, the attack caused a gas pipeline fire near a private residence, and windows in houses were damaged. Fortunately, there were no fatalities or injuries.

Consequences in Poltava region

In the Poltava region, there were no reported strikes on civilian objects or casualties, according to the head of the Regional Military Administration, Filip Pronin.

However, he noted that the energy infrastructure sustained damage, leading to temporary power outages in the Kremenchuk district. Specialists are working to restore services.