Opening of main Christmas tree of Ukraine, consequences of overnight attack by drones: highlights of the day

Consequences of Russian attack

In the morning, emergency blackouts were introduced in Kyiv and 10 regions due to the overnight drone attack. Despite the work of air defense, there were several hits to infrastructure facilities. Also, three people were injured in the attack in Kyiv Oblast.

Ukrainian soldiers destroyed 30 out of about 35 drones. 18 out of 23 drones were shot down over Kyiv. Another 10 drones were destroyed in the south. The state NPP operator Energoatom said that one of the drones was flying over the site of the Pivdennoukrayinsk Nuclear Power Plant.

Problems with electricity in Kyiv

As of the evening, the situation in Ukraine's power system remains difficult, Ukrenergo reported. In the central region, particularly in Kyiv, harsher restrictions than usual were applied due to significant damage.

DTEK reported that electricity consumption restrictions in the capital are now much greater than they were before the attack on December 19. Power engineers are trying to supply voltage to at least 20% of Kyiv's residential buildings by nightfall and switch them on alternately.

YASNO CEO Serhiy Kovalenko said that another infrastructure facility was added to all the damaged facilities where repairs are underway. "Are long blackouts in Kyiv real now? Yes, 10 hours without electricity is, unfortunately, a reality today. It is difficult to predict how quickly we will return to stabilization," he said.

Putin's visit to Lukashenko

Russian President Vladimir Putin held talks with self-proclaimed President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko in Minsk. The politicians signed an inter-legal agreement to build a joint planning system in the "Union State". Despite this, Putin stated (against the backdrop of the full-scale war in Ukraine) that Russia "has no interest in absorbing anyone".

In addition, Russia and Belarus agreed on further military cooperation. Lukashenko said that Russia had given Belarus the S-400 system, Iskander and aircraft with "specific" ammunition. The self-proclaimed president also complained about "tensions along the border perimeter," particularly in the west.

Gas price ceiling

The EU countries managed to agree on setting a ceiling price for natural gas at €180, Bloomberg reported.

The so-called gas market correction mechanism — a temporary measure designed to prevent sharp price fluctuations — will be valid for one year from February 15, 2023. The restriction will apply if the difference in price with world prices for liquefied natural gas exceeds €35.

Increased responsibility for military

The Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Valeriy Zaluzhnyi called on President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sign a bill that strengthens the criminal responsibility of the military. In particular, Zaluzhnyi mentioned the "refuseniks" who can pay a fine or receive a punishment with probation.

"Moreover — and this is the key — other servicemen are forced to cover the exposed areas of the frontline, which leads to an increase in losses of personnel, territories and civilians on them. Often lost positions have to be restored by assault actions at a very high cost. It should not be so," explained Zaluzhnyi.

Launch of main Christmas tree of Ukraine

The lights on the main Christmas tree of the country were lit on St. Sophia Square in Kyiv. It is 12 meters high instead of 31 meters last year. The Christmas tree was called the "Christmas tree of invincibility".

The tree was decorated with energy-saving garlands that will work thanks to the generator. The illumination of the tree is likely to take place only at certain hours of the day. Near the generator, there will be spots for recharging gadgets.

Losses of the occupiers

Over the past day, December 19, the Ukrainian Defense Forces killed 520 more Russian troops, and since the beginning of the full-scale invasion — 98,800 in total, the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported.

Russians also lost six armored combat vehicles, five artillery systems, an air defense system, a tank and other equipment over the past day.