Putin ‘inhumane,’ Zelensky says, as Russia pounds Ukrainian power grid on Christmas Day
By Svitlana Vlasova and Edward Szekeres, CNN
Updated 10:42 AM EST, Wed December 25, 2024
01:23 - Source: CNN
Why lawmaker thinks Putin is suffering despite attack in Ukraine on Christmas
CNN —
Russia launched an “inhumane” attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Christmas Day, with explosions reported across the country, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
Prior to 2023, most Ukrainians celebrated Christmas on January 7 under the Julian church calendar, but last year Zelensky signed a law formally changing the date as a way of further distancing the country from the traditions of the Russian Orthodox Church – and bringing it in line with much of the rest of Europe.
Ukraine created its own independent Orthodox Church of Ukraine in 2018, splitting from the Moscow-affiliated Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC). Since then, religious affiliation has increasingly been viewed as a symbol of national loyalty.
The holiday is now celebrated by Ukrainian Orthodox Christians on December 25, and Zelensky said Russia’s intentions were clear.
“Every massive Russian strike requires time for preparation. It is never a spontaneous decision. It is a deliberate choice – not only of targets but also of timing and date,” Zelensky said.
“Today, Putin deliberately chose Christmas for an attack. What could be more inhumane?”
https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2024/12/25/europe/russia-aerial-attack-ukraine-christmas-intl-hnk
Comments