Biden Denounces Russia’s Strikes on Ukraine During Christmas

Department of Security and Military Research and Studies 26-12-2024

Joe Biden strongly criticized Russia’s recent strikes on Ukraine’s power infrastructure, calling the attacks “outrageous” and vowing to enhance weapons shipments to support Ukraine’s defense efforts.

On Wednesday, Russia unleashed over 170 missiles and drones, primarily targeting Ukraine’s energy facilities. These strikes claimed the life of an energy worker and severely impacted a thermal power plant, leaving many Ukrainians seeking refuge in subway stations on Christmas morning.

“The United States remains committed to bolstering Ukraine’s ability to defend itself against Russian aggression,” Biden stated. He emphasized that the attack aimed to disrupt access to heat and electricity during the harsh winter, jeopardizing the safety of the energy grid.

Ukraine’s air force reported that Russia deployed 78 missiles and 106 drones, including Shahed models, during the attack. Ukrainian defenses managed to intercept 59 missiles and 54 drones, with an additional 52 drones jammed.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the timing of the operation. “Putin chose Christmas as the moment for this attack. What could be more cruel?” he stated on social media. The assault marked the 13th large-scale strike on Ukraine’s energy system this year, part of a broader Russian campaign targeting critical infrastructure during the winter months.

On Thursday, Russia’s Federal Security Service (FSB) claimed it had thwarted a Ukrainian plan to assassinate senior Russian officials and their families in Moscow, as reported by the TASS news agency.

Earlier this month, a Ukrainian operation resulted in the death of Lieutenant General Igor Kirillov, head of Russia’s Nuclear, Biological, and Chemical Protection Troops, when an explosive device attached to an electric scooter detonated in Moscow.

In a separate development, Russian authorities reported five fatalities due to Ukrainian strikes and a falling drone in the Kursk and North Ossetia regions on Wednesday.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov warned that Moscow would retaliate against Ukrainian attacks involving Western-supplied weapons, asserting that Russia targets military infrastructure rather than civilian sites.

This year marked Ukraine’s second official celebration of Christmas on December 25, following a shift from the traditional Orthodox observance on January 7, a symbolic move distancing the country from Russian customs.

Despite the ongoing conflict, nearly 200 Ukrainians gathered in Kyiv to sing carols and mark the holiday. However, the attacks persisted, with strikes in Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, igniting fires and injuring at least three individuals. Overnight, Ukrainian forces successfully downed 20 of 31 drones launched by Russia.

Ukrainian forces have faced increasing challenges in Kharkiv and Donetsk, where they are being pushed back by Russia’s superior equipment and manpower. Both nations are seeking to gain strategic advantages ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential inauguration.

President-elect Donald Trump has indicated intentions to rapidly conclude the conflict, raising fears that Washington might pressure Kyiv into a resolution favorable to Moscow.