Ukrainians woke up at 5.30am (11.30am Singapore time) to an air raid alarm, shortly followed by air force reports that Russia had launched Kalibr cruise missiles from the Black Sea.
"Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhumane? More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred attack drones. The target is our energy system," Mr Zelensky said, referring to Russian President Vladimir Putin.
This was the 13th large-scale strike on Ukraine's energy system in 2024, the latest in Russia's campaign targeting the power grid during winter.
"Russian evil will not break Ukraine and will not ruin Christmas," Mr Zelensky said.
Russia, meanwhile, said five people had died in Ukrainian strikes and from a falling drone in the border region of Kursk and in North Ossetia in the Caucasus.
Ukraine said its air force downed 58 out of 79 Russian-launched missiles. But it did not down the two North Korean-made KN-23 ballistic missiles launched by Russia.
US President Joe Biden called the strikes that cut off people's access to heat and electricity amid winter conditions "outrageous".
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