Russia attacks Dnipro Hydroelectric Station: oil products get into Dnipro River, soil contaminated

Ukrhydroenergo, a Ukrainian state company that administers a cascade of major hydro power plants, reported the information.

"Regrettably, the assault also targeted Ukraine's largest hydroelectric power plant, the Dnipro Hydroelectric Station in Zaporizhzhia. The aggressors, showing no remorse after destroying the Kakhovka HPP, are now attempting to create a new environmental catastrophe by callously attacking the Dnipro station and its dam," the statement said.

There is no threat of a breakthrough. The situation at the station's dam is under control. 

The State Ecological Inspectorate of the Southern District later reported that the shelling had caused soil contamination and leakage of oil products into the Dnipro water body.

Ukrhydroenergo director Ihor Syrota told Radio Svoboda that there were two direct hits to the Dnipro Hydroelectric Station - HPP-1 and HPP-2.

According to him, it remains uncertain whether HPP-2 will be restored, given the extent of the serious damage sustained. A support structure was hit, and crane beams were broken during the attack.

"We will have to rebuild the entire engine room and electrical equipment. We will calculate the consequences during the day and understand what happened. And whether HPP-2 will be able to operate. And if it does, it will be either in a limited mode or HPP-2 will not be able to operate at all for a certain period," said Syrota.

Ukraine's Office of the Prosecutor General reported the death of a person as a result of the attack on the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant.

"At present, we know about one person who died as a result of the attack on the Dnipro hydroelectric power plant. Emergency services and law enforcement officers are working at the scene to record Russia’s another crime. The number of victims is being established," the Office of the Prosecutor General’s press service said.

Proceedings have been opened for violation of the laws and customs of war.

The Center for Countering Disinformation reported that Russia is preparing a number of PSYOPs following the massive attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. They are doing this to sow panic among the population.

More information will be officially released later. However, the Center has already recorded various fakes about the "destruction of the dam" and the statement that "Ukraine will be completely left without electricity."

"All this information is untrue," the statement added.

• On March 22, Russian troops tried to carry out a massive attack on Ukraine. As a result, the occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant was on the verge of blackout.
• On the evening of March 21, Russia launched an attack on Ukraine with drones. Russian drones targeted the territory of Ukraine from the south. On the night of March 22, Russian troops launched cruise missiles from Tu-95MS aircraft.