"Ukraine was brutally attacked on Christmas Day," said Keith Kellogg, President-elect Donald Trump's pick for Ukraine and Russia envoy.

Nearly half a million households were left without power on Christmas Day in frigid weather after further missile attacks by Russia on Ukraine's damaged power grid, according to multiple reports.

Russia launched aerial attacks on Ukraine’s energy sector “on a massive scale” overnight into Wednesday, local authorities said, with explosions reported across the country amid intensified bombardments that have left Ukraine in a precarious position while the war grinds into a third winter.

Ukraine's air force says it detected 184 missiles and drones, causing damage to energy infrastructure across the country.

Ukrainian officials say Russia has launched a massive missile barrage targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.

DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, reported power outages across large areas of the country after Russia fired missiles against DTEK power stations in strikes on Christmas day. DTEK said

Russia launched a major drone and missile assault that led to power cuts and outages across Ukraine over the holiday

Air combat remains a critical factor in the ongoing war between Ukraine and Russia, as both sides vie for control of the skies. The F-16 Fighting Falcon, a highly advanced multirole fighter jet, has been a centerpiece of Ukraine’s effort to strengthen its air capabilities.

Overnight, Russia launched 24 drones from inside Russia, as well as two Iskander-M ballistic missiles from Voronezh and Kursk oblasts, Ukraine’s Air Force reported.

Secret plant in Russia increases drone production for war against Ukraine The attack targeted a fortified facility used by Russia’s forces for storing, maintaining, and repairing kamikaze drones. According to the General Staff,