On December 23, Russia announced it had taken control of two villages in eastern Ukraine—a move that Kyiv swiftly denounced as a stark violation of its sovereignty. The developments follow recent peace talks in Miami and highlight the deepening challenges in ending the conflict.
The Russian Defense Ministry said its forces captured Prylipka in Kharkiv region and Andriivka in Dnipropetrovsk region, claiming Ukrainian losses of 1,405 combatants. Hours later, Moscow launched a coordinated aerial assault—using over 650 Shahed drones and 30 missiles—that struck 13 regions across Ukraine.
The overnight bombardment killed at least three people, including a 4-year-old child, and triggered emergency power outages, particularly in western Ukraine. Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko warned some areas could remain without electricity for days as crews work to repair damaged energy infrastructure.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy condemned the attacks on social media, stating that they undercut negotiations aimed at ending the war. He urged Western allies to ramp up support and increase pressure on Moscow, arguing, “Putin still cannot accept that he must stop killing—and that means the world is not putting enough pressure on Russia. Now is the time to respond.”
The strikes also drew a response from NATO member Poland, which deployed aircraft after stray munitions landed near the Polish border. Ukrainian air defenses reported shooting down the majority of incoming drones and missiles, showcasing the resilience of Ukraine’s air force despite sustained assaults.
The assault came days after the U.S.-led peace talks in Miami, where a proposed 20-point plan reflecting nearly 90 percent of Ukraine’s demands was rejected by the Kremlin. Observers note growing rifts within the Western coalition: while the U.S. pushes for an immediate ceasefire, several EU leaders emphasize a long-term strategy to counter Moscow.
As winter deepens, rising energy costs and economic strains have sparked domestic debates across Europe about the future of support for Ukraine. With Christmas approaching, Zelenskyy had warned of heightened Russian aggression during the holidays, saying it is “in Russia’s nature” to strike around December 23 to 25.
This latest escalation underscores the fragile path towards peace and the urgent need for sustained international solidarity as the conflict enters its fourth year.
Reference(s):
Russia claims taking 2 Ukraine villages, Kyiv condemns Russian strike
cgtn.com
