Janice R. Andrews
In a shocking display of aggression, Russia launched a massive airstrike on Ukraine on Christmas Day, leaving a trail of destruction and chaos in its wake. According to US intelligence data, Russia fired at least 55 cruise missiles and over 100 drones at Ukrainian territory, injuring four people and severely damaging energy infrastructure ¹.
This brazen attack comes on the heels of Ukraine’s decision to abandon its traditional Orthodox Christmas celebration on January 7 and instead adopt the Gregorian calendar used in the West. Russian President Vladimir Putin appears to have taken this move as a personal affront, with Russia expert Bruno Beeckman describing the bombing as “a middle finger to Western civilization” ¹.
The airstrikes targeted multiple cities, including Dnipro, Krementshuk, Kryvyi Rih, and Ivano-Frankivsk, with the northeastern city of Kharkiv bearing the brunt of the attack. Governor Oleh Synehoebov reported on Telegram that the Russian military carried out at least seven attacks, including the launch of Kalibr-type cruise missiles from the Black Sea ¹.
As Ukraine struggles to cope with the aftermath of this devastating attack, one thing is clear: Putin’s actions will only serve to strengthen Ukraine’s resolve and solidarity with the West.
