Russia attacked Ukraine with hundreds of drones, Poland scrambled fighter jets and put air defense on high alert

(Patria) - Russia launched a massive drone and missile attack across Ukraine overnight, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed, stating that more than 600 unmanned aerial vehicles and over 30 missiles were used in the attacks.

At least three people were killed in the attacks, including a four-year-old child, the BBC reports.

Zelensky: The world is not putting enough pressure on Russia

Zelensky said the Russian strikes targeted the energy system, civilian infrastructure, and, as he stated, "essentially the entire infrastructure of daily life." He added that air raid warnings remain in effect in most of the country and that all emergency services are engaged in mitigating the consequences of the attacks.

"The attacks just before Christmas, when people simply want to be with their families, at home and safe, send an extremely clear message about Russia's priorities. Putin still does not understand that he must stop the killing. And that means the world is not putting enough pressure on Russia," the Ukrainian leader said, calling on Western allies for tougher sanctions against Russia and increased aid to Kyiv.

According to Ukrainian authorities, a four-year-old child was killed in the Zhytomyr region, where they were taken to the hospital after a Russian airstrike, but doctors were unable to save their life. Five other people were injured, said the head of the regional administration, Vitaliy Bunechko.

Earlier, it was confirmed that a 76-year-old woman was killed in the Kyiv region, near Vyshhorod, after a missile hit a house, while three people, including a 16-year-old, were injured. In the Khmelnytskyi region, in the west of the country, a 72-year-old man was killed, and power supply interruptions were also recorded.

Poland scrambled jets

Ukrainian power grid operator Ukrenergo announced that emergency power cuts were introduced in several regions. The Ministry of Energy stated that work to restore electricity supply would begin as soon as the security situation allows.

The power outages come as temperatures approach zero, with sub-zero temperatures expected in Kyiv in the coming days.

The attacks also triggered reactions in neighboring countries. Poland scrambled fighter jets and put air defense systems on alert to protect its airspace, a move Warsaw routinely makes during major Russian attacks on Ukraine.

Zelensky had previously warned that it is "in Russia's nature" to carry out large-scale attacks during the Christmas holidays, especially on December 23, 24, and 25.

Last year, Russia carried out a powerful missile and drone attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, which Zelensky at the time described as a "deliberate choice."

Until 2023, Ukraine celebrated Christmas on January 7 according to the Julian calendar, which Russia also uses, but since last year, Christmas in Ukraine has been observed on December 25.