what’s new
The United States will continue to deploy weapons to Ukraine, President Joe Biden has confirmed, after Russia accused Washington of “outrageous” attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy grids.
“I have directed the Department of Defense to continue the surge in arms deliveries to Ukraine,” Biden said.
why is it important
Ukraine relies heavily on U.S. and Western aid for air defenses aimed at defeating Russian attacks. Kiev officials have long said they need more air defense systems and interceptors to fire at incoming missiles to protect their territory, and aid will continue under President-elect Donald Trump’s new administration. It is unclear whether or not.
The Financial Times reported earlier this month that President Trump intends to keep aid flowing to Ukraine when he returns to the White House next month. Newsweek reached out to the president-elect’s transition team for comment via email.
Ukraine, like Russia, traditionally celebrates Christmas on January 7th. Last year, many Orthodox Christians in Ukraine celebrated Dec. 25 for the first time, shifting from Russian customs to Western customs and widely seen as disparaging Russia and the Russian Orthodox Church, which supported Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. was.
What you need to know
According to Ukrainian authorities, in the early hours of December 25, Russia used both missiles and drones to attack facilities in Ukraine’s fuel and energy sector.
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Ukraine Emergency Services via AP
According to the Kiev Air Force, Moscow uses 184 drones and missiles, including two North Korean-made KN-23 ballistic missiles, 12 Kalibr cruise missiles launched from the Black Sea, and more than 100 missiles. includes unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). According to the Air Force, Ukraine intercepted 113 of the targets, including 55 cruise missiles and 54 unmanned aerial vehicles, and an additional 52 unmanned aircraft failed to reach their intended locations.
The attacks targeted energy facilities across the country, including northeastern Kharkiv, central Dnipropetrovsk and Poltava regions, and Ivanofrankivsk in western Ukraine. Russia said it targeted “critical power infrastructure facilities that ensure the operation of Ukrainian defense industry enterprises” and said the objective of the attack was “achieved.”
Russia has consistently targeted Ukraine’s population centers and critical energy infrastructure with missiles and drones. Eastern Ukraine is making slow but steady gains as it ramps up targeting of energy sources for Ukraine’s cold winter season.
In July 2023, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy signed a bill changing the official Christmas holiday to December 25th, stating that he is “abandoning the Russian tradition of proudly celebrating Christmas on January 7th.” Ta.
President Zelenskiy said there were “power outages in some areas” after the Christmas Day attack, but that “Russian evil will not destroy Ukraine and will not ruin Christmas.”
Ukraine announced there were casualties, but did not provide a figure.
people’s opinions
“In the early morning hours of Christmas, Russia launched a wave of missiles and drones against Ukrainian cities and critical energy infrastructure,” US President Joe Biden said in a statement. The aim was to cut off access to the Let me be clear: Ukrainians have the right to live in peace and security, and the United States and the international community must continue to work together until Ukraine does. In recent months, the United States has provided Ukraine with hundreds of air defense missiles and has directed that more missiles continue to be delivered to Ukraine and the United States. “We will continue to work tirelessly to strengthen Ukraine’s defense position against Russian forces.”
Keith Kellogg, President-elect Donald Trump’s special envoy to Ukraine and Russia: “Christmas should be a time of peace, but Ukraine was brutally attacked on Christmas Day. Massive missiles and drone attacks on the Lord’s Birthday.” It is wrong to launch an attack.” The world is watching the actions of both sides closely, and the United States is more determined than ever to bring peace to the region. ”
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky: “Today, President Putin deliberately chose Christmas as the target of an attack. What could be more inhumane? More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than 100 aircraft. attack drones. Their target is our country’s energy infrastructure. They continue to fight because of the power outage in Ukraine. ”
Russian Ministry of Defense: “The Armed Forces of the Russian Federation carried out a large-scale attack using long-range precision weapons and attack drones against important power infrastructure facilities that ensure the operation of defense industrial enterprises in Ukraine. Target of the attack. has been achieved. All goals have been achieved.” ”
Ukraine’s Energy Minister Herman Khrushchenko said on Facebook: “The enemy is carrying out another large-scale energy attack. Transmission system operators are taking the necessary consumption restriction measures to minimize the negative impact on the energy system. We are taking lessons.”
what happens next
Ukraine is likely to continue receiving air defense systems and missiles from donor countries, while Russia is pumping out more missiles and drones through its highly active military-industrial complex. It remains to be seen how the return of Donald Trump to the White House, who has repeatedly vowed to end the war in one day, will affect the war on January 20th.
