President Biden on Wednesday condemned Russia’s recent attack on Ukraine, declaring the wave of missiles and drones “outrageous.”
“The purpose of this outrageous attack was to cut off access to heat and electricity for the Ukrainian people during the winter and threaten the safety of the power grid,” former Vice President Biden said in a statement.
“Let me be clear: the Ukrainian people have the right to live in peace and security, and the United States and the international community must continue to work with Ukraine until it defeats Russian aggression,” he added.
Russia launched an attack on Ukraine’s energy supplies and infrastructure in the early hours of Wednesday using 78 air and ground missiles and 106 Shahed drones, the Ukrainian Air Force said. The strike damaged equipment and caused power outages.
According to DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, this is the 13th time Russia has attacked Ukraine’s energy system.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the attack “inhumane.”
He wrote on the social platform Over 70 missiles, including ballistic missiles, and over 100 attack drones. The target is our energy infrastructure. “They continue to fight for a ceasefire in Ukraine.”
In a statement, Biden touted the equipment the U.S. has already sent to Ukraine after Russia invaded the country in 2022 and said “more is on the way.”
“I have directed the Department of Defense to continue to increase weapons supplies to Ukraine, and the United States will continue to work to strengthen Ukraine’s defense position against Russian forces,” he said.
Meanwhile, President-elect Trump has long criticized U.S. support for Ukraine. He supported the idea of negotiations between Kiev and Moscow and promised a speedy end to the conflict.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has said he is willing to discuss potential outcomes in his first conversation in four years with the president-elect.
Retired Lt. Gen. Keith Kellogg, President Trump’s choice as special envoy to Ukraine and Russia, also condemned the Christmas attacks.
“Christmas should be a time of peace, but Ukraine was brutally attacked on Christmas Day,” Kellogg wrote on the social platform X.
“It is wrong to launch large-scale missile and drone attacks on the Lord’s Birthday. The world is closely watching the actions of both sides. “The United States is more determined than ever to bring peace to this region.”
