Russia’s massive missile and drone attack on Ukraine on March 22: details

Consequences of the massive attack: there are dead, wounded, damaged energy infrastructure

Last night, Russian troops carried out one of the largest attacks, targeting mostly Ukrainian energy facilities. Critical infrastructure was damaged in a number of regions. Equipment at thermal power stations was severely damaged.

Several railroad sections have no power supply due to the attack. However, Ukrzaliznytsia railways reported that it has deployed backup power supplies and diesel locomotives, so all trains are running. 

Zaporizhzhia city and Zaporizhzhia region

The Russian army launched 12 missile strikes on Zaporizhzhia. According to preliminary data, 7 houses were destroyed and 35 damaged. Vehicular traffic through the Dnipro hydroelectric power station was also restricted.

Zaporizhzhia regional council deputy Serhiy Lyshenko told Espreso that it was a very noisy morning in Zaporizhzhia, with 15 explosions in total. The attack lasted almost 2 hours. All the attacks were aimed at the energy infrastructure.

"Photos of hits to the Dnipro hydroelectric dam are already being circulated online. It is currently impossible to predict when operations will resume. There is significant damage to the dam itself, it is still standing, there are no significant leaks, so the dam has not been completely destroyed. It is the energy part of the dam that was hit. Some districts in the city have already been cut off from power supply, but these are technical outages related to the redistribution of electricity supply directions," added Lyshenko.

The attack on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Station caused a fire, but the situation is under control, Ukrhydroenergo said. At the same time, Russia launched a PSYOP about the destruction of the dam.

In addition, Zaporizhzhia NPP is on the verge of blackout. 

Kharkiv city and Kharkiv region

In Kharkiv, the occupying Russian forces struck over 15 energy facilities. The city is experiencing a near-complete blackout. The subway is working only as a shelter. Kharkiv railway station has been switched to backup power.

Also, the State Emergency Service's 101 and 112 lines are not working in the city, said Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

Halyna Kuts, a member of the Kharkiv Regional Council, told Espreso about the details of the night attack.

"At 4:32 am, powerful explosions began, I counted about 22 explosions. There was no electricity, water, heating. There are big problems with communication, there is no Internet either. If someone was injured, it is unclear how to report it. If people need electricity, they can go to the nearest police station. The subway is no longer working, electric transport is not working. Trains have stopped. That is, this time it was a really large-scale attack," she said.

Dnipropetrovsk region: power facilities damaged in a number of settlements

According to the Dnipropetrovsk Regional Military Administration, power facilities were damaged in Dnipro, Kryvyi Rih, Pavlohrad, and Kamianske districts. The blast wave shattered windows in houses. There are interruptions in electricity and water supply. Blackout schedules will be introduced. 

The head of the military administration of Kryvyi Rih, Oleksandr Vilkul, said that critical infrastructure facilities had been hit in the city, and emergency shutdown schedules had been introduced.

"A combined attack with missiles and Shaheds. There are hits to critical infrastructure facilities. Emergency shutdown schedules have been introduced in the city. Hospitals and other infrastructure facilities have been switched to generators where possible. The most important thing, there are no losses and injuries," he wrote.

Khmelnytskyi region: there are dead and injured

The attack in Khmelnytskyi resulted in deaths and injuries, damaged infrastructure and residential buildings.

"Unfortunately, there are 5 wounded and 2 dead. My condolences to the families and friends. On the positive side, a 21-year-old girl who had been in touch by phone for an hour and a half was rescued from the rubble. She has been hospitalized and is receiving the necessary assistance," the Khmelnytsky Regional Military Administration wrote.

At the same time, as a result of the attack, power grids were damaged in the region, and there were emergency power outages.

Vinnytsia region: Russia uses hybrid tactics

A critical infrastructure facility was hit in Vinnytsia region as a result of an attack. The Russian army used hybrid tactics of launching UAVs and cruise missiles together.

"It was loud at night. There were several hits to the infrastructure. It is currently quite difficult for the residents of the communities, who are experiencing not only attacks, but also the lack of water, electricity and Internet connection. It should be noted that most communities and institutions that provide assistance have switched to generators and are operating," Olena Verlan-Kulshenko, a member of the Vinnytsia City Council, told Espreso.

A person was injured in Ivano-Frankivsk region

In the Ivano-Frankivsk region, the Russian army damaged a critical infrastructure facility. A person was injured. 

Lviv region: an energy infrastructure facility was hit

In Stryi district, Lviv region, a Russian drone hit an energy infrastructure facility. In the Zolochiv district, the debris of a Shahed drone caused a fire.

Sumy region: emergency power outage schedules introduced

Emergency power outage schedules have been temporarily introduced in the settlements of Sumy, Konotop and Shostka districts of the Sumy region.

Poltava region: roofs of private houses damaged by debris, preventive shutdowns of substations implemented

In the Poltava region, mobile fire teams repelled Russian air targets in the Kremenchuk district. Shrapnel damaged the roofs of three private houses in Myrhorod district. There were no casualties or injuries. Preventive shutdowns of substations were applied in the region and a schedule of emergency shutdowns was introduced.

As of 09:25 am, more than 104,000 household consumers and 6,700 legal entities were cut off from power in the region.

"In fact, these are preventive outages to balance the power system. Keep calm. Specialists are carrying out restoration work," the Poltava regional military administration said.

Odesa region: power facilities damaged

Power facilities in Odesa region were also damaged as a result of the night attack. Power cuts are partially implemented in Odesa. As of 08:30 am, 53,000 electricity customers were cut off.