Slava Ukraini! Since June 2023 I have provided a daily draft for the Ukraine War Brief Podcast collecting news from over 60 sources daily much of which ends up in the script. I will make this Draft available here for those who wish to keep up with events on a daily basis.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in its situation update at 06:00 on Mar. 22 stated that it was day 758 of the full-scale invasion of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
During the past day, 74 combat engagements took place. Over the past 24 hours, the enemy carried out 36 missile strikes, 55 air strikes, and 150 MLRS attacks across the positions of our troops and settlements. As a result of the Russian attacks, unfortunately, there are dead and wounded among the civilian population. Destruction and damage to residential buildings and other civilian infrastructure.
At the same time, Ukrainian soldiers continue to inflict losses in manpower and equipment on the occupying troops, exhausting the enemy along the entire front line.
Ukrainian missile forces struck 1 artillery system and 2 air defence systems of the russian invaders.
Air Force Daily Report
The Ukrainian Air Force in its situation update at 06:00 stated that during the previous day it launched air strikes on 7 concentrations of troops, weapons and military equipment, and 2 anti-aircraft missile systems.
On the night of March 22, 2024, the enemy launched a combined missile-aviation strike on critical infrastructure objects of Ukraine.
In total the enemy used 151 weapons including:
63 - Shahed 136/131 type UAVs
12 - Iskander-M ballistic missiles
40 - X-101, X-555 cruise missiles
5 - X-22 cruise missiles
7 - X-47 “hypersonic” missiles
2 - X- 59 naval launched cruise missiles
22 - S-300/400 missiles anti-aircraft missiles
The Defense Forces of Ukraine responded with anti-aircraft missile units of the Air Force and Land Forces, mobile fire groups, radio-electronic combat means. 92 air targets were destroyed as a result of anti-aircraft combat including:
- 55 Shahed-136/131
- 35 cruise missiles X-101/X-555;
- 2 naval launched cruise missiles X-59.
The Khortytsia operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the Kup’yans’k, Lyman, and Bakhmut axes, in the northeastern part of Ukraine. )
Kup’yans’k axis: The enemy carried out 2 assaults, with air support, in the areas of the settlements of Synkivka (Kharkiv oblast) unsuccessfully trying to improve its tactical position.
Kup’yans’k Front — Courtesy DeepStateMAP
Lyman axis: Ukrainian defenders repelled 11 attacks, assisted by air support, near Terny, Spirne, Vesele and Rozdolivka (Donetsk oblast) plus Bilhorivka (Luhansk oblast)
Bakhmut axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 15 attacks near Bohdanivka, Ivanivske, Klishchiivka and Andriivka (Donetsk oblast).
Bakhmut Front — Courtesy DeepStateMAP
The Tavria operational-strategic group
(Responsible for the Avdiivka, Novopavlivka, and Orikhiv axes, in the central-eastern and southeastern part of Ukraine.)
Avdiivka axis: Ukrainian Defence Forces repelled 5 enemy attacks in the vicinities of settlements of Berdychi, Semenivka, Tonen’ke and Pervomais’ke (Donetsk oblast).
Novopavlivka axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces continue to hold back the enemy in the vicinities of Krasnohorivka, Novomykhailivka, Vodyane, and Urozhaine (Donetsk oblast). The enemy, supported by aviation, made 25 attempts to break through the defences of Ukrainian troops in that area.
Orikhiv axis: Ukrainian Defense Forces repelled 8 attacks near Robotyne (Zaporizhzhia oblast) and south of Staromaiors’ke (Donetsk oblast).
The Odesa operational-strategic group
(Responsible for Kherson, Qırım, (also known as Crimea) and the Black Sea.)
Kherson axis: Ukrainian defenders continue to maintain their positions on the left bank of the Dnipro River. Over the past day the enemy did not conduct any offensive (assault) operations in this area
TEMPORARILY OCCUPIED TERRITORIES
Nothing to report.
THE HOME FRONT
Russia launches a huge combined attack on Ukraine
On Mar. 22 Russia launched a huge combined attack on Ukraine for the particulars of the attack see the Ukrainian Air Force report above.
Here I shall attempt to summarise the resulting damage from numerous Ukrainian sources. It seems that Russia switched predominantly to striking essential infrastructure this time with some success.
According to Ukrainian Minister of Energy, Herman Halushchenko, adversaries have carried out the most extensive attack on Ukrainian energy infrastructure in recent times.
"The goal is not just to cause damage, but to attempt once again, as was done last year, to induce a massive disruption in the country's energy system. Unfortunately, there have been hits and damages to generation facilities, transmission, and distribution systems in various regions," he said.
The latest casualty figures show that 5 people were killed and 26 injured in last night’s attack.
Zaporizhzhia:
Zaporizhzhia's Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant, Ukraine's largest hydroelectric station, was hit during the attack, Ukrhydroenergo announced on March 22. The company reported fire at the station but said there is no threat of a dam breach, adding that the situation is under control.
Traffic across the Dnipro Dam was blocked following the Russian attack, the police in Zaporizhzhia Oblast said. A trolleybus was hit and caught on fire when a Russian projectile targeted the dam, and its 62-year-old driver was killed, Governor Ivan Fedorov said. No passengers were on board.
The head of Ukrainian state-owned energy company Ukrhydroenergo, Ihor Syrota, said that one of the stations of the Dnipro power plant, the Hydroelectric Power Station-2 (HPS-2), suffered critical damage. The Hydroelectric Power Station-1 was also not operating. Syrota announced at around 12 p.m. that the fire had been contained, but the engine room remained inaccessible for specialists due to heavy smoke, he added.
As of 10:00 AM, Fedorov disclosed that following the bombardment of Zaporizhzhia, during which the city endured a total of 20 missile strikes, one fatality and 10 injuries have been confirmed with another 3 people unaccounted for.
"In just a few hours, the enemy launched nearly 20 missiles at Zaporizhzhia. They targeted critical infrastructure, hitting exclusively civilian objects." said the head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration. He added that ten private houses and over 35 multi-story buildings have been severely damaged.
Kharkiv:
Occupiers carried out over 15 strikes on energy facilities in Kharkiv. Most of the city is left without power.
"All emergency services are already operational," said Oleh Syniehubov, head of the Regional Military Administration.
Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov noted that due to power outages at pumping stations, the city is experiencing water supply problems. "In addition, electric transport will not operate in the morning - transportation will be provided by buses according to blackout scheme," he added. Furthermore, emergency lines 101 and 112 are currently not operational in the city.
Dnipro:
In Dnipro, power is out in some districts due to missile strikes. Dnipro also faces water supply issues. Residents are urged to stock up on water.
"Due to insufficient power supply, there may be water supply issues in the mountainous part of the city. The municipal water utility will resolve the situation by 9:00 PM. Please, stock up on water, but there's no need to fill up your entire bathtubs," emphasised Mayor Borys Filatov.
Kryvyi Rih:
Russia launched a combined missile and Shahed drone attack on Kryvyi Rih in the Dnipropetrovsk region.
"There are hits on critical infrastructure objects. The city has implemented emergency power outage schedules. Hospitals and other infrastructure facilities have switched to generators. The most important thing is that there's no casualties or injuries," said Oleksandr Vilkul, head of the Kryvyi Rih Defense Council.
Kamyanske:
A similar situation is unfolding in Kamyanske, Dnipropetrovsk region. Due to enemy attack, most of the city is without power.
"Currently, water and heating facilities are disconnected. Tram traffic is suspended, so I ask enterprise leaders to understand possible delays of workers," said Mayor Andrii Bilousov. Today, March 22, general secondary education institutions in the city are operating remotely.
Sumy region:
Due to missile strikes on Ukrainian energy system objects, emergency power outage schedules have been implemented temporarily in Sumy region.
According to the Sumy Regional Military Administration, this concerns three districts of the region - Sumy, Konotop, and Shostka districts.
"'Points of resistance' are operating for you to charge your phone, other gadgets, and use the internet. Energy workers are working on restoring power supply," the administration added.
Khmelnytskyi region:
In Khmelnytskyi itself, there is damage to infrastructure objects, with casualties and injuries being reported.
"07:00 AM. End of the air raid siren. A terrible morning. We have damage to infrastructure objects. Damage to residential buildings. There are casualties and injuries among civilians," said Mayor of Khmelnytskyi Oleksandr Symchyshyn.
By 8:30 AM, Khmelnytskyi Regional Military Administration reported that one person had been killed and there were wounded as a result of the shelling. A search operation is underway.
Odesa region:
Energy facilities in the Odessa region were also damaged. As a result, partial stabilisation shutdowns are taking place in Odessa under the directive of Ukrenergo.
"At the moment, 53 thousand electricity subscribers are without power. We are maintaining calm. Specialists are carrying out restoration work," said Oleg Kiper, head of the Odessa Regional State Administration.
Vinnytsia region:
Vinnytsia also suffered from Russia’s hybrid tactics involving UAVs and cruise missiles.
"There have been hits on critical infrastructure objects," said Serhii Borzov, head of the Vinnytsia Regional Military Administration. As of 8:33 AM, the city of Ladyzhyn in Vinnytsia region was completely without power.
"At the moment, electricity, heating, and water supply have been temporarily cut off. All services are engaged to restore everything as soon as possible," reported the Ladyzhyn City Territorial Community.
Lviv region:
The Russian attack on Lviv region resulted in a UAV strike on energy infrastructure.
"During the air raid siren, enemy drones hit the energy infrastructure in the Stryi region. A fire broke out. Firefighters are currently extinguishing it. As of now (7:09 AM), no information about casualties has been received," said Maksym Kozytskyi, head of the Regional Military Administration.
According to him, a fire in a forest area in Zolochivskyi district has started.”Presumably from the debris of a downed Shahed drone,"
Ivano-Frankivsk region:
Explosions were heard in Prykarpattia during the air raid. The region was attacked by drones and missiles.
"There are hits on critical infrastructure objects," said Svitlana Onyshchuk, head of the Regional Military Administration. According to preliminary information, one person was injured. There is damage. But currently, no power outages have been recorded in the region," she added.
Poltava region:
Poltava region has come under Russian fire too. Fortunately, there have been no casualties or injuries. 104,000 residential consumers are currently without electricity in the region.
"The roofs of three private houses in Myrhorod district have been damaged by debris. Mobile fire groups have conducted exercises on airborne targets in Kremenchuk district," said Philip Pronin, head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration.
UK Intelligence - Why is Russia doing this now?
The UK Ministry of Defence in its Mar. 22 Intelligence Update stated On 21 March 2024, Russia conducted its first major Long Range Aviation (LRA) strike against Ukraine in over a month. The strike force included at least 10 Tu-95 BEAR-H aircraft operating from Olenegorsk and Engels airbases as well as MiG-31 FOXHOUND fighters. At least 20 missiles (including Russia's premier AS-23a KODIAK air launched cruise missile and the AS-24 KILLJOY air launched ballistic missile) were launched, targeting locations primarily in Kyiv. It had been 44 days since the previous aviation strike on Kyiv.
It is a realistic possibility that the month-long pause in LRA strikes was due to aircraft fleet management and planning issues. Sanctions have likely restricted Russia's ability to access key components for both aircraft and missiles alike. Continued Ukrainian air defence successes have also likely complicated Russian mission planning.
PM Shmyhal - No electricity deficit in the grid as power system survives massive attack
Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, speaking at a government meeting on Friday stated that Ukraine's energy system, which today suffered one of the largest missile and drone strike since the invasion, has withstood the blow as there is no capacity shortage in the grid and none is predicted.
"For two days in a row, the Russian terrorist regime has launched massive missile strikes against our cities... Today's strikes primarily targeted our energy sector. It was one of the largest attacks on energy two years into the big war, and the most massive attack during this fall-winter period," the head of government said.
According to Shmyhal, about 20 substations and power plants, including Dnipro HPP, were affected. There have been issues with power supply in several regions as Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Odesa, Kirovohrad, Sumy, and Poltava regions saw power outages.
"But the key thing now is that the energy system is intact and stable. Thanks to the additional protection of our energy facilities, we survived the strike. There is no capacity shortage and none is predicted currently," Shmyhal stressed.
RUSSIAN WORLD
Nothing to report.
NEWS WORLDWIDE
US has urged Ukraine to halt strikes on Russian oil refineries due to possible rise in world oil prices
The United States has allegedly urged Ukrainian intelligence services to halt attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure, warning the drone strikes risk driving up global oil prices and provoking retaliation, the Financial Times reports, citing people familiar with the discussions. The Financial Times reports.
"The White House had grown increasingly frustrated by brazen Ukrainian drone attacks that have struck oil refineries, terminals, depots and storage facilities across western Russia, hurting its oil production capacity," one of the FT's sources said.
The United States is also allegedly concerned about a possible Russian retaliation against energy infrastructure that the West relies on.
This may apply to the Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which transports oil from Qazaqstan through Russia to the world market. Companies including ExxonMobil and Chevron use the pipeline.
"We do not encourage or enable attacks inside Russia," an NSC spokesman said.
The CIA and the Security Service declined to comment. Ukrainian intelligence and President Zelenskyy's office also did not comment on the allegations.
"Nothing scares a sitting American president like a spike in gasoline prices in an election year," commented Bob McNally, president of Rapidan Energy and former White House energy adviser, on the US concerns.
There is no excuse for our mistakes – Lithuanian Foreign Minister on Russia's attack
After the massive overnight attack by Russia on Ukrainian infrastructure, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Gabrielius Landsbergis has stated that the West is making mistakes in its strategy to support Ukraine, and this could have consequences for the future development of the situation.
"We choked the weapons supply, we failed to provide enough air defence, and now we ask Ukrainians to sit on their hands while cruise missiles land on their families," Landsbergis noted.
MILITARY & TECH
Ukraine to get additional Leopard 2 tanks from Spain
The Spanish Ministry of Defense has announced plans to send additional Leopard 2 tanks to Ukraine. Defence Blog reports.
The decision entails the overhaul and commissioning of 19 Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks, which will be deployed to reinforce Ukraine’s frontline forces.
The selected contractor for this critical endeavor is General Dynamics European Land Systems (GDELS) Santa Bárbara Sistemas, tasked with the refurbishment and restoration of the Leopard 2A4 tanks to operational readiness.
Ten tanks are currently undergoing refurbishment at the Santa Bárbara Sistemas facility, with completion expected by June. The remaining nine tanks are slated for refurbishment and are scheduled to be ready for deployment by September 2024.
That’s it for today’s Draft folks if you would like to keep up with events in Ukraine daily please consider subscribing, its free!
Feel free to share this update with your friends. Heroyam Slava!
