Ukraine's Energy System Targeted in Massive Attack by Russia, Ukrainian Official Reports
Ukraine faced a significant assault on its energy infrastructure as Russia unleashed a substantial barrage of missiles and drones, marking one of the largest attacks since the invasion began over two years ago.
Russia carried out a major missile and drone attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure overnight into Friday, marking one of the largest assaults since the beginning of its full-scale invasion over two years ago. Ukrainian officials reported that at least 10 regions were hit, with power supplies being targeted in various towns and cities such as Kharkiv, Odesa, and Kryvyi Rih.
Over 1 million households were left without electricity on Friday morning due to the attacks, as reported by various regional authorities. The only areas spared were Kyiv and the northwest of the country.
One of the main targets was Ukraine's biggest hydroelectric power complex, located on the Dnipro river in the southern Zaporizhzhia region.
Ihor Syrota, the chief executive of Ukrhydroenergo, mentioned that both electricity generating plants at the site had experienced significant damage. It is uncertain when or if the plants will be able to resume operations.
On the other hand, the dam itself is not at risk of being breached. Volodymyr Kudrytskyi, another senior energy executive in Ukraine, informed the public through national television that workers had opened the dam's gates to allow water to flow downriver.
Rescuers work at a site of a building damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 21, 2024. REUTERS/Alina Smutko
Rescuers work at a site of a building damaged during a Russian missile strike, amid Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine March 21, 2024. REUTERS/Alina Smutko
Alina Smutko/Reuters
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Thousands of people sought shelter in Kyiv from a missile barrage, just hours after Biden's national security adviser visited. Kudrytskyi mentioned that the missile and drone attack was probably the biggest one ever on Ukraine's energy system.
DTEK, the energy company in Dnipropetrovsk region, reported that over 1,000 miners were underground when coal mines lost power during the strike. The miners were safely evacuated to the surface with no injuries. DTEK mentioned that coal production will restart after the mines are fixed.
At least three individuals lost their lives during the nationwide strikes, with two fatalities in Khmelnytskyi region and one in Zaporizhzhia. Additionally, there are reports of several individuals missing and over a dozen people sustaining injuries.
According to Mykola Oleshchuk, the commander of Ukraine’s air force, a total of 151 missiles and drones were launched. This included 12 Iskander M ballistic missiles, 7 Kinzhal (Kh-47M2) ballistic missiles, and 5 Kh-22 cruise missiles.
During the two-year war, Ukraine's air defenses struggled to shoot down these missile types. Oleshchuk reported that all 24 missiles were able to evade interception.
Rocket debris is scattered by a strike near a residential building in Zaporizhzhia.
Rocket debris is scattered by a strike near a residential building in Zaporizhzhia.
Kateryna Klochko/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
The air force commander reported that a total of 63 Shahed drones were deployed, with 55 of them being successfully intercepted.
Additionally, 40 cruise missiles of the Kh-101/Kh-555 type were fired, but only 5 were able to evade interception. Two Kh-59 guided missiles were also launched but were successfully intercepted.
Finally, Russia also fired 22 S-300 and S-400 missile types. These missiles were initially designed as anti-aircraft interceptors, but Russia commonly uses them as attack weapons. Air defense systems often do not target these missiles because the interception time is too short.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak participate in a news briefing in Kyiv, Ukraine, on March 20.
US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Andriy Yermak were both present at a news briefing in Kyiv, Ukraine on March 20.
They were photographed during the briefing by Vladimir Sindeyeve/NurPhoto/Reuters.
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On visit to Kyiv, Sullivan confident US House will pass additional Ukraine aid, eventually
Friday's attack on Kyiv occurred right after the city was hit by a barrage of 31 missiles, aimed at Defense Intelligence Directorate facilities, according to a Ukrainian source interviewed by CNN.
The attack involved only two ballistic missiles, thought to be of North Korean origin. Fortunately, all 31 missiles launched were successfully intercepted, as confirmed by officials.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky shared a video on Telegram of firefighters rushing to a severely damaged energy facility. He also made a heartfelt request to his allies for additional support.
In his message, Zelensky emphasized that Russian missiles do not wait for aid packages to arrive in Ukraine. He pointed out that Shahed drones do not hesitate like certain politicians sometimes do.
"Our partners are fully aware of our needs and are ready to provide the necessary support. We require these solutions to safeguard life from the threats posed by non-humans from Moscow," he emphasized, highlighting the urgent need for US-made Patriot air defense systems in Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia.
In recent months, the US House of Representatives Republicans have been halting a military aid package worth $60 billion. The issue of aiding Ukraine has become entangled in the political discussions revolving around Donald Trump's presidential campaign.
Jake Sullivan, the national security adviser to US President Joe Biden, visited Kyiv on Wednesday. During his visit, he expressed confidence that the House would approve a new assistance package in the future. However, he did not give a specific timeline for when this might occur.
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