Russian ballistic missiles strike Odesa region

On Friday, March 22, the Russian army launched another massive attack on Ukraine, deploying the Tu-95MS strategic bombers and launching Kh-101/555/55 cruise missiles at Ukraine. Explosions were heard in several Ukrainian cities. Air defense systems were operational, but there were hits in several cities, including critical infrastructure facilities.

Massive Russian strikes in Ukraine overnight killed at least five people and injured 14–16 people. Three are considered missing. Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal emphasized that Ukraine's energy system suffered one of the largest air attacks in two years. Russian attacks affected approximately 20 substations and power plants, including the Dnipro HPP.

The Odesa region was also under attack. The Russians targeted energy facilities. After the strike, 53,000 households in the region were left without electricity. In the evening, the Ukrainian electricity operator DTEK reported that Odesa and the Odesa region were forced to switch to emergency power cuts.

Russian troops also attacked the northeastern city of Kharkiv with ballistic missiles, with about 15 explosions reported in the city. They targeted the energy infrastructure, causing a power outage and water supply problems.

During the Russian massive attack, Zaporizhzhia was rocked by 12 explosions. Authorities reported casualties; seven buildings were destroyed, and dozens were damaged.

The Russian forces targeted the Dnipro HPP. The occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant (ZNPP) is threatened by a blackout; the line to ZNPP is de-energized.

The massive attack on Zaporizhzhia killed at least one person and injured eight. Casualties are also reported in the western Khmelnytskyi region. People are being searched for under the rubble of the destroyed building.

Power outages are also reported in the Dnipro, Poltava, and Sumy regions in Ukraine's center and north. Hits on critical infrastructure facilities are recorded in Ivano-Frankivsk, Vinnytsia, Mykolaiv, and Odesa regions in the west and south of the country. In several regions, power outage schedules have been introduced.

Overall, the Russian forces launched over 150 drones and missiles of various types across Ukraine on March 22. Air defense forces downed 55 "Shahed" drones and 37 missiles.