Massive Russian missile assault on Ukraine targets cities and energy
It was a very difficult night for our eastern neighbours. The Russians launched a massive missile attack on Ukraine. Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Sumy, and Kryvyi Rih were among the cities attacked. An air raid alarm was announced in Kyiv. In response, the Polish army scrambled jets.
On the morning of Friday, March 22, Russia initiated a massive assault on Ukraine. The enemy employed a variety of assets, including kamikaze drones, cruise missiles, and hypersonic missiles, mainly targeting the energy infrastructure of various cities.
The enemy conducted one of the largest attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector in recent weeks – Ukrainian Minister of Energy Herman Haluszczenko wrote on Facebook.
In Kharkiv, particularly severe consequences were noted, with at least 15 loud explosions reported. The offensive caused disruptions in the supply of electricity, internet, and water in some city areas. Missiles also hit Zaporizhzhia, Kryvyi Rih, Dnipro, and Sumy, while an air raid alarm sounded in Kyiv.
Anton Herashchenko, a representative from the Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs, mentioned that Zaporizhzhia was hit by 12 attacks.
According to preliminary information, seven residential buildings were destroyed, and 35 were damaged. Injuries have been reported, and the exact number is being determined. Explosions were also heard in other Ukrainian cities, leading to another sleepless night for many Ukrainians - conveyed Anton Herashchenko on social media.
Ukraine’s largest hydroelectric power plant sustained damage
Ukrhydroenergo, a Ukrainian state-owned enterprise that manages numerous large hydroelectric power plants along the Dnieper and Dniester rivers, reported that due to the massive attack, the Zaporizhzhia Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Dnieper, the largest in Ukraine, was affected.
A fire broke out at the power plant, however, the company reassures that there is no threat of the dam breaking and that the situation is under control. Following the attack, the police in the Zaporizhzhia region reported that traffic across the Dnieper dam in Zaporizhzhia was halted.
The Polish army issued a statement
In light of the massive Russian attack on Ukraine, the Operational Command of the Armed Forces issued an urgent statement.
We inform that tonight intense activity of long-range aviation of the Russian Federation was observed, associated with missile strikes by Tu-95, Tu-22, and MiG-31 aircraft on targets within Ukraine.
All necessary procedures aimed at ensuring the security of Polish airspace have been initiated, and the Operational Command is continuously monitoring the situation. We caution that Polish and allied aircraft have been activated, which may lead to an increased noise level, especially in the southeastern part of the country - as stated on the X platform on the profile of the Operational Command.
Shortly after, another update was shared on the profile, indicating that "the operation of Polish and allied aviation in Polish airspace has concluded". The Polish Military also informed that it continues to closely monitor the situation in Ukraine and remains on high alert.
