Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia’s major attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure on Christmas Day was a “conscious choice.”

The Ukrainian Air Force said it had detected 184 missiles and drones, but many of them were shot down or missed their targets.

The report stated that the attack caused casualties, but did not disclose the specific number.

Moscow confirmed the attack and said its objectives had been achieved.

The attack caused power outages across the country, including in the capital Kiev, with some residents taking refuge in subway stations.

Russia’s Defense Ministry confirmed its forces carried out a “large-scale attack” on “critical” energy facilities in Ukraine.

The attack was successful and all targets were hit, the statement added.

DTEK, Ukraine’s largest private energy company, said this was the 13th major attack on Ukraine’s energy sector this year.

In September, President Zelensky said that 80% of Ukraine’s energy infrastructure had been destroyed by Russian bombs.

Responding to Wednesday’s attack, Zelensky said the timing of the attack was a “conscious choice.”

He called them “inhumane” and said efforts were being made to restore power as soon as possible.

He added: “Russian evil will not destroy Ukraine or distort Christmas.”

This is the second time that Ukraine celebrates Christmas on December 25th. Traditionally, it follows the Julian calendar, and like Russia, Christmas falls on January 7th.

The governor of Kharkiv, a city northeast of Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second largest city, said the attack left 500,000 people without water, electricity or heat in the freezing cold.

Ukrainians across the country woke to the sound of air-raid sirens and were told to take shelter as the morning attacks unfolded.

Kiev residents took shelter in metro stations, with one local telling Reuters she was angry and scared.

Sofia Litvinenko said: “Of course, I want to stay at home and celebrate, but we have to hide because staying at home is scary.”

Another Kyiv resident, Oleksandra, said that despite the attack, “Christmas is not cancelled.”

She told Reuters she planned to enjoy traditional Ukrainian food and drinks with family and friends once she was safely out of the shelter.

Ukraine’s state-owned electricity company Ukrenergo warned Ukrainians that power outages are likely to last until at least the end of the day.

It imposed usage restrictions while it attempted to restore service.

Meanwhile, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the attack as “Christmas terror”.

He said a Russian missile that passed through Moldova and Romania’s airspace was a “reminder that Russia threatens more than just Ukraine.”

Moldovan President Maia Sandu condemned the attack and confirmed the detection of a missile in the country’s airspace.

Romania said no missiles were detected in its airspace.

Ukrainian shelling elsewhere killed four people and wounded five others, according to the acting governor of Russia’s Kursk region.