• 11/26/2024

Fortifications at Ukrainian energy facilities prove effective during 22 March Russian attack

Pravda Ukraine

Fortifications at all Ukrainian energy facilities withstood direct and indirect strikes during a large-scale Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine’s energy system on 22 March, ensuring the full protection of autotransformers and electrical equipment.

Source: Mustafa Naiiem, Head of Ukraine’s State Agency for Restoration and Infrastructure Development, on Facebook

Naiiem said that on the night of 21-22 March, the Russians attacked nine electricity substations where protective structures were being installed by the Agency for Restoration.

Quote from Naiiem: “However, the protection provided at all substations was as effective as it could be. The fortifications at all the facilities withstood direct and indirect attacks, providing full protection for the autotransformers and electrical equipment.”

Naiiem also added that some substations had suffered damage to their protective structures as a result of direct hits, but the equipment itself remained intact.

In total, 103 energy facilities in 21 oblasts, including power generation and distribution networks, were protected from debris by the first level of protection. 22 substations in 14 oblasts benefited from the second level of protection against unmanned combat aerial vehicles.

Background:

  • Ukraine’s largest hydroelectric power plant – Dnipro HPP in Zaporizhzhia – was hit as a result of a missile attack on 22 March. There is no threat of a dam breach, and the situation at the power station’s dam is under control. 
  • Ukrhydroenergo, Ukraine’s largest hydropower generating company, reported two direct hits to the Dnipro HPP in Zaporizhzhia, HPP-1 and HPP-2. It is not yet known whether it will be possible to restore the latter because it was seriously damaged. 
  • Later, it became known that Russian missiles hit Dnipro HPP eight times. The emergency services and the State Emergency Service are working at the plant. 
  • Meanwhile, Ukrhydroenergo is not ruling out that the Russians may have intended to destroy the power plant completely.
  • Dnipro HPP has managed to restart some equipment, but the plant is not yet generating electricity.
  • As a result of the Russian missile attacks on Ukraine’s energy system, emergency blackouts have been introduced in some oblasts of Ukraine.
  • Ukrenergo, Ukraine’s national energy company, subsequently gave the order to supply electricity to household consumers in all oblasts of Ukraine except Kharkiv, Odesa, Khmelnytskyi and Dnipro oblasts.
  • Emergency blackouts will be introduced in the city of Odesa and the Odesa district.

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https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2024/03/22/7447741/