On March 22, Ukraine experienced the largest Russian attack on its energy infrastructure, resulting in significant damage and casualties. Russian forces launched over 60 Shahed missiles and nearly 90 other types of missiles, causing power outages in various regions including Kharkiv and Zaporizhzhia. The attack targeted Ukraine's largest hydroelectric power station in Zaporizhzhia, leading to a fire at the Dnipro hydroelectric dam which supplies electricity to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, Europe's largest nuclear power plant. The main power line to the plant was temporarily cut off, impacting several regions.
Following the attack, Ukraine's Enerhoatom reportedly repaired the power line to the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant, restoring electricity to affected towns and villages in regions such as Dnipropetrovsk, Ivano-Frankivsk, Kharkiv, and more. The assault on Kyiv on March 21 saw a barrage of cruise and ballistic missiles hitting the capital, resulting in injuries and damage to residential areas. Ukrainian President Voldymyr Zelenskyy emphasized the need for global unity and advanced air defense systems to counter such attacks.
