The situation at a glance: Nationwide air alert in Ukraine – injured in Kharkiv

A nationwide alarm has been raised in Ukraine because of serious Russian missile and drone attacks. Russian Tu-95 MS fighter jets fired numerous cruise missiles at the country over the Black Sea, the Ukrainian Air Force announced. “The enemy is again massively attacking the energy system,” wrote Energy Minister Herman Halushchenko on Facebook. The city of Kharkiv was also under heavy rocket fire. Explosions were reported in the major city of Dnipro.

At least seven attacks on Kharkiv

At least four people were injured in the attacks in Kharkiv in eastern Ukraine, authorities said. “The Russian army carried out at least seven attacks,” reported the region’s military governor, Oleh Synyehubov. Several fires have broken out and there is damage to civil infrastructure. In the Kiev district of Kharkiv, a fire broke out in the mayor’s office after an impact and the glazing of the surrounding buildings was damaged.

Measures to limit electricity consumption

Due to the ongoing massive rocket fire, measures have been taken to limit electricity consumption in Ukraine, Ukrinform reported, citing power grid operator Ukrenerho.

Zelensky: “Christmas unites all Ukrainians”

Russia had already attacked Ukraine on Christmas Eve – the southeastern Ukrainian city of Kryvyi Rih was hit. At least one person was killed and around a dozen others were injured. President Volodymyr Zelensky’s hometown has repeatedly been the target of destructive missile and drone attacks in the past.

In Ukraine, many people are now celebrating Christmas in a Western style, following the example of the leadership striving to join the EU and NATO. The custom was introduced as part of the defensive fight against the Russian war of aggression. Nevertheless, many people in Ukraine continue to give each other gifts under the Christmas tree on New Year’s Eve according to a long tradition and celebrate Orthodox Christmas on the night of January 7th, like in Russia.

In his Christmas speech, President Zelensky praised the fact that Ukrainians were now celebrating like people in the West. “Christmas unites all Ukrainians,” he said in his evening video speech. “Today we stand side by side,” he said. “And as long as we do that, evil has no chance,” Zelenskyj continued. “We want peace,” he emphasized. The Christmas star should shine over the country – and drones of Iranian design and missiles should not hit.

In his speech, the Ukrainian president also mentioned the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in the Donetsk region, which Russian troops could soon take. Zelensky expressed the hope that this would not happen – and that soldiers would return home alive.

Ukraine is experiencing its third winter of war. The country has been defending itself against the Russian war of aggression with Western help since February 2022.

Kremlin sees Kyiv as not interested in negotiations

The Russian troops continue to advance and want to take as many towns as possible before possible negotiations. As the Ukrinform agency reports, the situation in the area of ​​the permanent hotspot of Toretsk is particularly difficult. Russia is now using technical equipment such as armored vehicles there.

Meanwhile, the Kremlin in Moscow once again accused Kiev of refusing to negotiate a solution to the conflict. Since Ukraine is not showing any willingness to talk, Russia is continuing to pursue its war goals, said Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov. “We see the momentum, it speaks for itself. So we continue to move forward,” he said. The country invaded by Russia lost control of numerous towns this year.

Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin recently declared that he was willing to compromise in the conflict. But he left open what he meant by that. Putin annexed the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk and Luhansk regions, although he does not completely control them. Among other things, he demands that Ukraine give up its territories. In addition, the country should remain non-aligned and refrain from joining NATO.

Zelensky categorically rejects all of these Russian demands. The two parties to the conflict repeatedly accuse each other of having no real interest in negotiations to resolve the conflict.