The largest attack on the energy sector: the line to ZNPP is cut off

22 March 2024 09:57

On 22 March, Russian troops launched a massive combined attack on Ukraine. This attack was one of the largest attacks on the energy sector, with hits and damage to generation facilities, and reports of injuries, Komersant ukrainskyi reports

Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko said that there were hits and damage to generation facilities, electricity transmission and distribution systems in various regions.

In addition, one of the power lines supplying ZNPP was de-energised due to the shelling.

It is noted that there are power outages in some regions. The Minister emphasises that power engineers are already working to restore power supply.

Natalia Gumenyuk, head of the Joint Coordination Press Centre of the Southern Defence Forces, said during the telethon that the night attack was massive and combined. At first, a lot of drones flew over the regions of Ukraine, and then missile strikes began immediately.

President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on Facebook that Russia had fired more than 60 Shaheds and almost 90 missiles at Ukraine on the night of 22 March.

“Electricity supply is being restored. Kharkiv and its region, Zaporizhzhia, Sumy, Poltava, Dnipro, Odesa, Khmelnytskyi, Vinnytsia, and Ivano-Frankivsk – wherever it is needed, restoration work has been going on since the night before,”

– the President added.

Poltava region: there is damage to infrastructure

At night, Russians also attacked Poltava region. Philip Pronin, the head of the JFO, said there were no casualties or injuries.

Debris damaged the roofs of three private houses in Myrhorod district. Mobile firing groups worked on air targets in Kremenchuk district.

“The enemy carried out the largest attack on the Ukrainian energy sector in recent times. In Poltava region, preventive shutdowns of substations have been applied and a schedule of emergency shutdowns has been introduced for all 10 stages. The situation is under control. Power engineers are already working to restore power supply,”

– he said.

Kharkiv is “almost completely without electricity” due to shelling

The occupiers have carried out more than 15 attacks on Kharkiv’s energy facilities. The city is almost completely without electricity.

“All emergency services are already working,”

– said Oleh Syniehubov, the head of the Regional State Administration for Electricity.

Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov reported about 15 explosions. According to him, there are fires at the sites of some of the “arrivals”.

Due to the de-energisation of pumping substations, the city is already experiencing problems with water supply.

“Also, in the morning, electric transport will not run on the routes – buses will be running on a blackout basis,” he said,

– he said.

In addition, the city’s emergency lines – 101 and 112 – are currently out of service.

“In this regard, I ask everyone to call 1562,”

– terekhov added.

In addition, due to the massive rocket attack on the city, the subway is currently operating exclusively as a shelter.

Ivano-Frankivsk region: a critical infrastructure facility was hit

The region was attacked by both missiles and attack drones.

“There was a hit on a critical infrastructure facility,” said Svitlana Onyshchuk, head of the JMA.

According to preliminary information, one person was injured.

No power outages have been reported in the region so far.

Khmelnytskyi and the region: casualties and damage to infrastructure

The enemy struck again in the Khmelnytsky region. In Khmelnytskyi, infrastructure facilities have been damaged, and there are already reports of casualties and injuries.

“It’s a terrible morning. We have damage to infrastructure. Damage to residential buildings. There are dead and injured among the civilians,”

– said the mayor of Khmelnytskyi, Oleksandr Symchyshyn.

Dnipropetrovs’k region: hits to critical infrastructure facilities

In Dnipro, some districts lost power due to air strikes.

In addition, the occupiers launched a combined attack with rockets and “shaheds” on Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro region.

“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 is to avoid losses and injuries,”

– stated Oleksandr Vilkul, Head of the Defence Council of Kryvyi Rih.

Due to the enemy attack, most of Kamianske is without electricity.

“Water and heat supply facilities are currently disconnected. Tram traffic has stopped, so I ask the heads of enterprises to be understanding about possible delays of their employees,”

– said Andriy Bilousov, Mayor of Kamianske.

Due to the situation, the city’s general secondary education institutions are currently working remotely.

Zaporizhzhia region: 12 strikes, ZNPP on the verge of blackout

Zaporizhzhia came under a massive attack at night and in the morning. The enemy launched 12 missile strikes.

According to preliminary data, seven houses were destroyed. At least 35 more were damaged, said Ivan Fedorov, head of the UDA.

Due to the shelling of the city, traffic on the road crossing of the Dnipro hydroelectric power station dam is completely restricted.

“Traffic is moving through the Arch Bridge on Khortytsia Island (Sergiy Tyulenin Street – Sich Street – Taganskaya Street). Also, through the New Bridges and Khortytsia district. Take this information into account when planning your route,”

– fedorov added.

Petro Andriushchenko, an advisor to the mayor of Mariupol, said that a Russian missile hit a trolleybus that was moving across the Dnipro hydroelectric power station dam.

“There were people in the trolleybus. Ordinary civilians travelling to/from work. When the Russians are now proud of themselves and trying to counter their terrorism with attacks on Belgorod, this is real terrorism,”

– he wrote on Telegram.

Andriushchenko also noted that photos and videos of the strike have already appeared on the occupiers’ channels.

He urged citizens to report those filming the aftermath of the strikes to the Security Service.

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

“Today, on 22 March 2024, during a large-scale missile attack on Ukraine at 5:10 am, the external overhead line of OHL 750kV Dniprovska, which connects the temporarily occupied Zaporizhzhia NPP to the integrated power system of Ukraine, was disconnected,”

– energoatom reported.

Sumy region: blackout schedules introduced

Emergency shutdown schedules have been temporarily introduced in Sumy region as a result of missile strikes on the Ukrainian power system.

According to the Sumy Regional State Administration, this applies to three districts of the region – the settlements of Sumy, Konotop and Shostka districts.

Vinnytsia region: “arrival” in the infrastructure

In Vinnytsia region, Russian occupants used hybrid tactics of UAVs and cruise missiles.

“There was a hit to a critical infrastructure facility,”

– said Serhiy Borzov, head of the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration.

Lviv region: a hit to an energy facility

During the Russian attack in Lviv region, an enemy drone hit the energy infrastructure.

“During an air raid, an occupier’s drone hit an energy infrastructure facility in Stryi district. A fire broke out. Firefighters are currently extinguishing it,”

– said Maksym Kozytskyi, head of the UIA.

In addition, he said, a fire broke out in a forest in Zolochiv district.