Russia deliberately began the new year with another massive attack on Ukraine, launching more than 200 strike drones overnight, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said in an official statement.
The primary target of the attack was Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Despite the scale of the assault, the majority of the drones were successfully intercepted by Ukraine’s air defense forces.
Seven Regions Under Attack
According to the President, Russian drones struck the following regions:
- Volyn
- Rivne
- Zaporizhzhia
- Odesa
- Sumy
- Kharkiv
- Chernihiv
Emergency services and energy workers are operating on the ground to mitigate the consequences of the strikes and restore electricity supply wherever needed.
“Rescuers are assisting people, and energy workers are restoring power after the strikes. I thank everyone involved in eliminating the consequences of this attack,” Zelenskyy said.
Gratitude to Air Defenders and First Responders
President Zelenskyy expressed gratitude to Ukrainian air defense units who defended the country’s skies during the night, as well as to all emergency and utility workers.
“I thank all our warriors who repelled this attack. I am grateful to everyone working to protect lives and restore critical infrastructure,” he noted.
Clear Message to Partners: No Pause in Defending Lives
The President emphasized that there can be no pause in protecting human lives if Russia continues its attacks — even during holidays.
“If strikes do not stop even on New Year’s holidays, then air defense deliveries must not be delayed,” Zelenskyy stressed.
Ukraine expects that all air defense agreements reached with the United States and partners at the end of December will be fulfilled on time, particularly regarding critically needed systems.
Ukraine’s Defense Is Part of Global Security
Zelenskyy underlined that supporting Ukraine’s air defense capabilities is not only about protecting Ukrainian cities but also about ensuring broader international security.
“I am grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine and works for our shared security,” the President concluded.
