Ukrainian President said that power shortages were persisting, with nearly nine million people remaining without electricity.

Volodymyr Zelensky said that power workers repairing the grid after repeated Russian attacks had reconnected many people over Christmas but problems remained.

“Naturally, shortages persist. Blackouts are continuing. The situation as of this evening in different regions of Ukraine is that nearly nine million people are without electricity. But the numbers and the length of the blackouts are gradually decreasing”, - he added.