By John Q. Hosedrinker 
On Christmas Day, Russia launched a major missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure, causing widespread power outages and casualties across the country, including Kyiv, where residents sought shelter in metro stations. President Zelensky condemned the attack as an “inhumane” and “conscious choice” by Russia, highlighting the targeting of critical energy facilities for the 13th time this year. Despite the attacks, many Ukrainians remained resilient, celebrating Christmas as best they could amidst the ongoing conflict. The attack left cities like Kharkiv with widespread damage and hundreds of thousands without essential services.
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Zelensky’s condemnation of the Christmas Day attack as “inhumane” highlights the brutal reality of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. The attack, occurring on December 25th, underscores the disregard for human life and the blatant violation of any sense of peace or goodwill often associated with the holiday. It’s a stark reminder that this war continues to inflict immense suffering, regardless of the time of year.
The timing of the attack is particularly jarring, given that many associate Christmas with a sense of peace and reconciliation. This act of violence demonstrates a complete lack of respect for any such traditions and underscores the cruelty inherent in the conflict. It’s a horrific event that highlights the desperation and devastation experienced by Ukrainians.
While some might point to the fact that the Orthodox Christmas is celebrated later in January in Ukraine, this does not diminish the significance of the December 25th attack. The vast majority of Ukrainian churches now celebrate Christmas on December 25th, reflecting a broader shift towards the Gregorian calendar, though the transition is not completely uniform across the population. Regardless of the calendar used, the attack represents a deeply troubling escalation of violence.
The controversy surrounding the date of Christmas in Ukraine serves as a distraction from the core issue: the inherent inhumanity of the attack itself. The argument over the date obscures the suffering inflicted upon Ukrainian civilians. The focus should remain on condemning the act of violence, irrespective of whether it occurred on a day traditionally marked as a religious holiday.
The claim that Ukrainians don’t celebrate Christmas on December 25th is misleading. While many Ukrainians follow the Julian calendar, a significant and growing number now observe Christmas on the 25th, reflecting a societal shift. The fact that the attack happened on a day many now celebrate as Christmas adds another layer of brutality to the event.
It’s also important to dispel the notion that a Christmas truce was offered and rejected by Zelensky. While there have been discussions regarding ceasefires and prisoner exchanges, a universal, unconditional ceasefire was not offered. The reality is that Russia, as the invading force, bears primary responsibility for the cessation of hostilities. A unilateral ceasefire, or even a more limited agreement, does not imply mutual respect for a holiday truce.
The comparison to other conflicts and historical events, such as the informal Christmas truces in WWI, is irrelevant to this situation. The current conflict is fundamentally different, characterized by a much higher level of sustained violence and a lack of genuine willingness from the invading force to engage in any meaningful peace negotiations.
There are attempts to downplay or deflect from the severity of the attack. Some try to portray it as a military engagement, targeting only legitimate military sites. However, the inherent cruelty and disregard for civilian lives should not be minimized. Any attack that results in civilian casualties is inherently inhumane.
This Christmas Day attack serves as a grim reminder of the ongoing conflict and the suffering endured by the Ukrainian people. Zelensky’s condemnation is a powerful and necessary response, highlighting the need for international condemnation of Russia’s actions and a continued commitment to supporting Ukraine. The incident exposes the cold, calculated brutality of the conflict and demonstrates the desperation and suffering inflicted upon Ukrainian civilians. Ultimately, the attack is an egregious violation of basic human rights and a demonstration of the complete disregard for human life on the part of the aggressor.