• Russia launched over 650 drones and dozens of missiles in a large-scale attack on Ukraine.
• At least three people, including a child, have been killed in the strikes.
• The attacks have resulted in widespread power outages across multiple Ukrainian regions.
• Ukrainian President Zelensky emphasized the attacks demonstrate Russia's lack of commitment to peace negotiations.
• Poland scrambled jets to protect its airspace during the missile strikes aimed at western Ukraine.

On December 23, Russia executed a large-scale attack involving more than 650 drones and 38 missiles, primarily targeting energy infrastructure across Ukraine. The strikes, initiated at night and persisting into daylight, resulted in the deaths of at least three individuals, including a tragic incident where a 4-year-old child was killed in the Zhytomyr region. These attacks significantly hampered power supplies amid frigid winter conditions, according to scmp, channelnewsasia, and indiatimes.

President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the Russian strikes, characterizing them as a blatant message of aggression amid ongoing US-led peace negotiations, during which he had described progress as “quite solid.” He stated, "Putin still cannot accept that he must stop killing," emphasizing the attacks' timing just before Christmas, a period when families traditionally seek safety and comfort together. The strikes have left thousands without power and have resulted in emergency measures in several regions, according to channelnewsasia and indiatimes.

The Ukrainian air force confirmed that critical energy facilities were hit hardest, particularly in western regions. Reports indicate that the cities of Rivne, Ternopil, and Khmelnytskyi were significantly affected by the power outages. Preliminary reports indicated that these assaults were a deliberate strategy to weaken Ukraine's energy capabilities as winter sets in, suggesting an escalation of pressure on Ukraine to acquiesce to Russian demands in peace negotiations, according to scmp and channelnewsasia.

In response to the escalation, neighboring Poland scrambled jets to protect its airspace after Russian missiles targeted areas near its western border, emphasizing NATO's commitment to maintaining regional security amidst the ongoing conflict. This action reflects heightened vigilance due to increasing tensions along the Ukrainian front and Moscow's stated goals of undermining its adversary's capacities, according to indiatimes and channelnewsasia.