Casualties of Russian attack on Zaporizhzhia rises to 25

The number of casualties of this morning's massive Russian attack on Ukraine's southeastern city of Zaporizhzhia has risen to 25 people, according to the State Emergency Service, Rubryka reports.

"As of 17:00, 25 people are reportedly injured. Three are killed in Zaporizhzhia," said the State Emergency Service.

The local governor, Ivan Fedorov, has also revealed who died in the Russian attack. According to him, it's an 8-year-old girl and her 35-year-old father who died in a Russian missile strike on a private housing of Zaporizhzhia. 

Also, a 62-year-old trolleybus driver, who was journeying along the Dnipro dam at the time of the Russian attack, died. There were no passengers inside the trolleybus.

"The enemy continues cynically destroying civilian infrastructure and killing innocent people. Only today in Zaporizhzhia, over 40 residential buildings have been destroyed or damaged, and there have been hits on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant," Fedorov reported.

According to the Zaporizhzhia Regional Prosecutor's Office, Russian troops launched approximately 20 missile strikes on the city on the morning of March 22, 2024. Infrastructure facilities were damaged and destroyed, including the Dnipro HPPS, private and multi-story buildings, and civilian vehicles. People were injured and killed by the attacks.

Emergency rescue operations are ongoing. Rescuers are clearing the rubble and providing assistance to municipal services working on restoring transport links. Cranes and trucks have been mobilized to dismantle destroyed structures.

Psychologists continue providing assistance to the civilian population. Volunteers are providing hot meals and water to emergency and municipal services workers involved in the cleanup and the civilian population.

More about the strike on Zaporizhzhia

On the morning of March 22, Russia launched nearly 20 missiles at the city within a few hours, targeting critical infrastructure. Infrastructure facilities were destroyed and damaged.

According to preliminary data from the regional Administration, ten private houses and over 35 multi-story buildings were destroyed. Rescue teams are working at the sites of the strikes.

During the morning attack on Ukraine, the Russians also hit Ukraine's largest hydroelectric power station — the Dnipro HPP. A fire is currently raging at the station. Emergency services and energy workers are on-site. There's no threat of a dam breach.

Massive Russian attack on March 22

On Friday, March 22, the Russian army deployed the Tu-95MS strategic bombers, which launched 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.

Russian troops 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. Uhtoritird 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.

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.

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.

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.

The massive Russian strike on 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.