Kyiv says Russia launched biggest attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure

Ukraine’s air force said Russia launched 88 missiles and 63 Shahed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in the attack on March 22. Of these, Ukraine only shot down 37 missiles and 55 UAVs, a lower ratio than usual and possibly indicating Moscow’s extensive use of hypersonic and ballistic missiles that are harder to shoot down, according to Reuters.

Ukraine's state hydropower company Ukrhydroenergo said the DniproHES hydropower plant, located in the southern Zaporizhzhia region, saw its hydraulic structures and the dam itself attacked.

"There is currently a fire at the plant. Emergency services and plant staff are working on the site, dealing with the consequences of several airstrikes," Ukrhydroenergo said.

An attacked site in Zaporizhzhia on March 22.

According to Ukrainian Energy Minister German Galushchenko, the March 22 attack was the largest on Ukraine's energy infrastructure since a full-scale conflict with Russia broke out in February 2022.

“The goal is not just to cause damage but also to try to bring down the country's energy system on a large scale again, like last year,” he said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who has urged Western countries to provide more air defense weapons in recent days, condemned the attack and said authorities were working to restore power supplies in nine provinces.

Moscow claims that attacks on Ukraine's power infrastructure are legitimate, aimed at weakening the enemy's military.

Ukraine’s interior minister said on March 22 that at least two people were killed and 14 injured across the country, in addition to three missing. Zaporizhzhia governor Ivan Fedorov said another person had died in his region.

Traffic lights in Ukraine's second-largest city have stopped working due to an attack on its electrical infrastructure, according to Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov.

Ukraine's largest private energy company DTEK said Russia launched a large-scale attack on its energy facilities and hit several of its thermal power plants, Suspilne TV reported.

The company has warned of power outages in Dnipropetrovsk province in southeastern Ukraine.

Russia has not commented on Ukraine's new statements but has previously denied accusations that Russia attacks civilian targets.

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