President Joe Biden has ordered the Pentagon to expedite military shipments to Ukraine following Russia’s devastating Christmas Day attacks on Ukrainian cities and energy infrastructure.
At a Glance
- Russia launched a massive attack on Ukraine’s cities and energy infrastructure on Christmas Day
- Biden condemned the attack as “outrageous” and pledged continued U.S. support for Ukraine
- The U.S. has committed $175 billion in aid to Ukraine since Russia’s 2022 invasion
- Ukraine’s air defenses intercepted 59 of 78 Russian missiles and 54 of 102 drones
- President-elect Donald Trump aims to swiftly end the conflict upon taking office
Biden Denounces Christmas Day Attack
In a forceful response to Russia’s Christmas Day assault on Ukraine, President Joe Biden has directed the U.S. Defense Department to accelerate the delivery of weapons to the beleaguered nation. The attack, which targeted Ukrainian cities and critical energy infrastructure, has been widely condemned as a cruel attempt to deprive civilians of essential utilities during the harsh winter months.
Biden did not mince words in his assessment of the Russian aggression.
“The purpose of this outrageous attack was to cut off the Ukrainian people’s access to heat and electricity during winter and to jeopardize the safety of its grid,” President Joe Biden said.
⚡ US President Joe Biden condemned Russia's Christmas Day attacks on Ukraine, calling them an effort to cut off heat and power during winter, and pledged to strengthen Ukraine's air defenses. https://t.co/HUH1oKaI3Z
— UNITED24 Media (@United24media) December 26, 2024
Devastating Impact on Ukrainian Infrastructure
The assault resulted in significant damage to Ukraine’s power grid, causing widespread outages and leaving half a million people in the Kharkiv region without heating. Kyiv also experienced blackouts as a result of the attacks. Despite Ukraine’s Air Defenses intercepting a majority of the incoming threats, the damage inflicted was still substantial.
“Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas to attack. What could be more inhuman? More than 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and more than a hundred attack drones,” the Ukrainian President said on Telegram.
The strikes caused injuries to at least six people in Kharkiv and resulted in one fatality in Dnipropetrovsk. These attacks have further strained Ukraine’s already battered infrastructure and heightened the humanitarian crisis as winter sets in.
U.S. and International Support
Since Russia’s invasion in 2022, the United States has committed a staggering $175 billion in aid to Ukraine. This substantial support underscores the U.S. commitment to Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity. The international community has also rallied behind Ukraine, with countries like Japan pledging additional aid from frozen Russian assets.
As the conflict continues, the United States and its allies remain steadfast in their support for Ukraine. However, the incoming administration under President-elect Donald Trump has signaled a potential shift in strategy, with plans to negotiate a swift end to the hostilities.
The sooner Trump gets back in, the better. This madness might finally end…
