Russia carried out a large-scale assault on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, leaving widespread destruction and casualties, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced. The attack, described as “inhumane,” marks the thirteenth major strike on Ukraine’s power grid this year, plunging parts of the war-torn nation into a deepening energy crisis as winter intensifies.

Widespread Damage and Casualties

Explosions were reported across Ukraine during the assault, which left at least one person dead in the Dnipropetrovsk region and six injured in Kharkiv, according to Ukraine’s national police. Residential buildings and civilian infrastructure in Kharkiv, located less than 20 miles from the Russian border, bore the brunt of at least seven missile strikes, regional governor Oleh Syniehubov confirmed.

The attack left half a million households in the Kharkiv region without heating amid temperatures of 3°C (37°F). Rolling blackouts have been imposed in several areas to stabilize the grid, according to DTEK, Ukraine’s largest energy provider.

Retaliatory Strikes and Regional Impact

Ukrainian forces responded by targeting a Russian command post overnight in Lgov, Kursk region, where Kyiv launched a surprise offensive earlier this year. Local Russian authorities reported four fatalities and five injuries, including a woman in serious condition.

In Russia’s North Ossetia-Alania, the Ministry of Defense reported that falling debris from a drone shot down by air defense forces caused an explosion and fire in a Vladikavkaz shopping center, killing one person.

Symbolic Timing of the Attack

The attack coincided with Ukraine’s new Christmas celebrations on December 25, a switch from the traditional January 7 observance under the Julian calendar. President Zelensky signed a law in 2022 to align the holiday with much of Europe, further distancing Ukraine from Russian Orthodox Church traditions.

Zelensky accused Moscow of deliberately choosing Christmas for the assault, calling it “a deliberate and inhumane choice of timing and targets.”

Extensive Assault on Energy Sector

More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and over 100 drones targeted Ukraine’s energy infrastructure during the attack. Ukraine’s air defenses shot down over 50 missiles and a significant number of drones, Zelensky reported. However, critical energy facilities suffered severe damage.

DTEK confirmed that its thermal power plants were heavily damaged, with equipment shelled more than 200 times since Russia’s full-scale invasion began in February 2022. Emergency blackouts were imposed in several regions as energy minister German Halushchenko condemned the latest strikes.

International Reactions

Ukraine’s foreign minister Andrii Sybiha highlighted the broader threat posed by Russia, noting that a missile crossed Moldovan and possibly Romanian airspace. Moldova’s president, Maia Sandu, condemned the violations, calling them a breach of international law.

Poland also scrambled fighter jets in response to missile activity near Ukraine’s western border, emphasizing the ongoing regional security risks.

The Christmas Day assault followed another deadly strike on Christmas Eve, where a missile attack on President Zelensky’s hometown of Kryvyi Rih killed one and injured 17.

For over a week, the Jenin refugee camp in the occupied West Bank has been engulfed in violence, as clashes between Palestinian Authority (PA) security forces and militant groups aligned with Hamas escalate. Heavy gunfire and explosions have echoed through the camp, home to around 25,000 people, highlighting deep divisions within Palestinian society.

The PA, backed by Western allies, launched its largest security operation in years, aiming to dislodge militants entrenched in the camp. These groups, including the Al-Aqsa Martyrs’ Brigade, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and the Qassem Brigades, collectively operate under the banner of the Jenin Battalion and accuse the PA of colluding with Israel.

Mounting Tensions and Rising Casualties

The PA has described the operation as targeting “outlaws” threatening the camp’s stability, but progress has been limited. Militants retain control of much of the camp, and the confrontation has led to mounting casualties. A member of the Presidential Guard and a police sergeant were killed in recent days, while militant gunfire has also claimed lives, including three teenagers.

Amid the fighting, residents face dire conditions. Many have been left without water or electricity, and children are unable to attend school. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) has suspended services, condemning the occupation of its health center by armed factions.

Polarized Opinions and Desperate Conditions

The violence has deepened divisions among Palestinians. Some residents, like 27-year-old fighter Assad Aqel, argue that the PA’s operations are worsening their plight. “The PA is not protecting us from the Israeli military,” Aqel said, echoing a sentiment shared by many in the camp.

Others, including local resident Ihab Sa’adi, have called for renewed dialogue between the PA and militants. However, efforts by the PA to negotiate have reportedly been rebuffed.

Mahmoud al-Ghoul, a camp resident, described life as “paralyzed,” citing allegations that security forces had targeted water tanks during the operation. His neighbor, Ahmad Tubasi, said his children were traumatized, having been confined indoors for weeks.

Broader Implications for Palestinian Governance

The Jenin operation is seen as a critical test for the PA, which administers parts of the West Bank under the Oslo Accords. Success in Jenin is viewed as a potential precursor to broader governance ambitions, including a return to Gaza.

Militant leaders, however, remain defiant. Qais al-Sa’adi, a commander within the camp, told CNN, “Urban warfare is our expertise, and it’s a game-changer.” Al-Sa’adi also acknowledged receiving support from Iran, a growing concern for both the PA and Israel.

The situation remains volatile, with little resolution in sight. For now, Jenin’s refugee camp stands as a flashpoint in the broader struggle over Palestinian governance, resistance, and the enduring impact of the Israeli occupation.