War in Ukraine: risk of blackout on Zaporizhia, 3 dead, Russian strikes of 88 missiles… a terrible night on the front

La Russie a mené d'importantes frappes cette nuit. ILLUSTRATION UNSPLASH. – American public power association/Google Maps

On the night of Thursday 21 to Friday 22 March 2024, Russia carried out a series of significant strikes in Ukraine. Some experts already fear a risk of blackout in Zaporizhia while the city which houses a nuclear power plant is targeted for its electrical infrastructure.

Russia launched its largest air attack against the Ukrainian electricity network on the night of Thursday to Friday, killing at least three people, Kiev authorities said.

Intensive strikes

A strike notably targeted the largest Ukrainian dam, in Zaporizhia, the Ukrainian public hydroelectricity company announced on Friday, while the Kharkiv electricity network was targeted by Russian fire. This attack on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure was the most significant since the start of the war, said Energy Minister German Galushchenko.

According to Interior Minister Ihor Klymenko, at least two people were killed and 14 injured across the country. Three other people are missing. Zaporizhia Governor Ivan Fedorov separately told Ukrainian television that a third person had been killed in his region.

Russia fired 88 missiles and 63 Shahed drones,but only 37 and 55 of them, respectively, were shot down, according to the Ukrainian Air Force. This failure could reflect widespread use of hypersonic and ballistic missiles that are more difficult to shoot down. Ukrainian President Volodimir Zelensky, who has urged his Western allies to provide more air defenses in recent days, condemned the attack.

Work is underway to restore electricity supply to nine regions, he added. "The whole world clearly understands what targets are chosen by Russian terrorists: power plants and the electricity grid, a hydroelectric dam, simple residential buildings and even a trolleybus&quot ;, wrote Volodimir Zelensky on Telegram.

Zaporijjia targeted

The DniproHES dam, located in the Zaporizhia region, is however not at risk of collapsing, the company added. &amp ;quot;A fire broke out in the building. Rescuers and dam employees are managing the consequences of several airstrikes, detailed the energy group.

In addition, around fifteen detonations were heard Friday morning in Kharkiv, the second largest city in Ukraine, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov, and Russian missile fire, which seemed to target the city electricity network, caused partial power outages.

Some of the city's water pumps have stopped working due to the attacks. Explosions were heard in Kryvyi Rih, in central Ukraine, said Oleksandr Vilkoul, the town's mayor, without providing details.