Christmas Attack In Ukraine, Honda-Nissan Merger, Nigeria's Economic Crisis
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A Russian attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure leaves thousands of people without heat. The auto sector is in the midst of two seismic changes and that means existing companies will need to adapt. And, the holiday season in Nigeria is muted this year against the backdrop of one of the country's worst economic crises in decades.
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Today's episode of Up First was edited by Peter Granitz, Emily Kopp, Miguel Macias, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Ana Perez. We get engineering support from Josephine Nyounai. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
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Want more comprehensive analysis of the most important news of the day, plus a little fun? Subscribe to the Up First newsletter.
Today's episode of Up First was edited by Peter Granitz, Emily Kopp, Miguel Macias, Lisa Thomson and Alice Woelfle. It was produced by Ziad Buchh, Nia Dumas and Ana Perez. We get engineering support from Josephine Nyounai. And our technical director is Carleigh Strange.
Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
NPR Privacy Policy
A Russian attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure leaves thousands of people without heat in the winter's cold, and it's not the first time. We hear what Ukrainians have to say about the attack on Christmas Day. I'm Sarah McCammon, and this is Up First from NPR News. Automakers are trying to adapt to seismic changes in their industry. Some brands may well not be part of the landscape 10 years from now. Why some companies might not make it through the transition. And the holiday season in Nigeria is muted this year against the backdrop of an economic crisis, reforms praised by Western institutions have led to crushing inflation. Stay with us. We'll give you the news you need to start your day. Crews in Ukraine are cleaning up following a deadly attack on Christmas Day. Moscow launched some 70 missiles and more than a hundred drones packed with explosives. They appeared to target Ukraine's energy grid. NPR's Brian Mann joins us now from key of Hi, Brian. Good morning, Sarah. So tell us about this Russian attack. What made it through Ukraine's air defenses? Well, Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, says they were able to shoot down 50 of the 70 or so missiles launched Christmas morning by Russia. Ukraine also blocked most of those drones. They often used electronic jammers causing them to crash, but at least 20 of these missiles got through. There were explosions and fires across Ukraine. One utility worker and engineer was killed in his statement on social media Zelensky condemned this attack. He said it was clearly time for the holiday called it inhumane and evil, but said this latest violence, and I'm quoting here, will not break Ukraine and will not spoil Christmas. President Biden also called the attack outrageous and president elect Donald Trump's incoming special envoy for Ukraine and Russia condemned Moscow's decision to attack yesterday. He said the US is more resolved than ever to bring peace to the region. This is now the third winter of the war there, and whenever it gets cold, Russia seems to target Ukraine's energy infrastructure. How well is it holding up? Well, this is clearly rattling the system. The biggest utility in the country said yesterday, Sarah, that this strike was the 13th large attack on the energy grid this year alone. Even before yesterday's missile launch, there were already rolling blackouts across the country. These explosions and fires caused more power outages. A lot of homes lost heat. Luckily, it's been a pretty mild winter here so far by Ukraine standards. Yesterday, Maxim Timchenko, the head of that big private utility, DTAC, he called for Ukraine's allies to help boost the country's air defense systems. And Brian, what are these attacks meaning for people's daily lives there in Ukraine? Yeah, there's no question Ukrainians are weary. But if Russia's goal here is to make Ukrainians so miserable they lose the will to fight and defend their country, I'm not seeing evidence that's working. After yesterday's attack, I heard anger, not fear, people are remarkably resilient in Ukraine.
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