Russian President Vladimir Putin says Russia wants to talk with Ukraine about ending the war even though attacks continue.
According to an AP News story, Russian missiles struck Ukraine and damaged multiple power stations and other critical infrastructure Dec. 29, 2022.
“Ukraine has put forward a vision for peace. The response from Moscow? Another barrage of missile strikes on critical energy infrastructure," U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken said in a post on Twitter. "Russia should stop the attacks, withdraw its troops and commit to peace.”
A total of 69 missiles were fired at energy facilities, damaging 18 residential buildings and 10 critical infrastructures in 10 regions and killing at least two people in Ukraine's second-largest city Kharkiv and wounding seven others around the country, AP News reported. Ukrainian forces shot down 54 Russian missiles during the strike, according to Ukrainian military chief Gen. Valerii Zaluzhnyi.
The Russian attack occurred just days after Putin reportedly said on state television he was willing to talk and Ukraine has refused negotiations, AP News reported Dec. 25, 2022. According to Putin, Ukraine has been unwilling to engage in peace talks.
The Dec. 25, 2022 AP News story reported the attacks have continued, despite Putin's reported willingness to end the war. Russian forces attacked the southern Ukrainian city of Kherson Dec. 24, 2022, killing a reported total of 16 people and wounding 64 more.
Zelensky released a statement Dec. 26, 2022, praising those working on the front lines and behind the scenes in Ukraine, notably the military who have shut down Russian air attacks and energy crews working to restore connections for over nine million people without service.
"Thank you to everyone who works for Ukraine regardless of whether it's a holiday, a weekend or a weekday,” Zelensky said in his statement. “Thank you to everyone who fights for Ukraine.”
