Tragic Start to the Holidays: Three Lives Lost in Recent Ukraine Attack

Tue Dec 23 2025 17:20:49 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

A large-scale Russian assault on Ukrainian cities has led to the deaths of three individuals, including a child. President Zelensky condemns these strikes amid ongoing peace negotiations.

Russia launched a significant attack targeting multiple cities in Ukraine, resulting in three deaths, including a four-year-old child. President Volodymyr Zelensky has condemned the assault as a clear indication of Russia's intentions, stating it disrupts families during a festive season and highlights the need for increased global pressure on Moscow. Heating disruptions and energy losses were reported across various regions due to damage to infrastructure.

Russia launched a massive attack on several Ukrainian cities overnight on Monday, President Volodymyr Zelensky has said, a day after he warned of strikes over the Christmas period.

At least three people were killed, according to Ukrainian officials, including a four-year-old child, while energy infrastructure was also targeted, leaving several regions without power.

Russia launched more than 600 drones and 30 missiles, according to Ukraine.

Zelensky said people simply want to be with their families, at home, and safe in the run-up to Christmas, and said the strikes sent an extremely clear signal about Russia's priorities despite ongoing peace talks.

He added: Putin still cannot accept that he must stop killing. And that means that the world is not putting enough pressure on Russia.

Confirming a child's death in the central Zhytomyr region, local official Vitaly Bunechko said: She was taken to hospital, doctors fought for her life but could not save her in the end. Five others were injured in the strike, he added.

Meanwhile, a 76-year-old woman was killed and three people injured when a house in the Kyiv region was struck, according to Ukraine's state emergencies service.

An attack in Khmelnytskyy, western Ukraine, killed a 72-year-old, regional administration head Serhiy Tyurin said.

Polish fighter jets were scrambled in response to missiles and drones targeting west Ukraine.

The Russian defence ministry stated it had targeted energy facilities and other transport infrastructure, according to Russian state news agency Tass.

Videos shared by Russian media channels online showed large flames rising from the direction of a petrochemical plant reportedly hit by a Ukrainian drone.

With temperatures expected to fall to as low as -7C on Wednesday, Ukraine's energy operator warned of emergency power shutdowns in all regions and urged people to use energy sparingly. Ukrainian MP Oleksandr Merezhko noted that some areas could be without power for days.

The main focus of Russian attacks in recent days has been the southern port city of Odesa, following President Putin's threats to sever Ukraine's access to the Black Sea.

After a period of calm in Kyiv, the recent attacks have caused concern among residents, with many speculating a link to the recent assassination of a top Russian general.

Zelensky reported on diplomatic talks in Miami and mentioned that a Christmas truce proposal by the US was rejected by Russia, emphasizing the urgent need for a resolution to the ongoing conflict.