ISW: Russia has changed the target set for attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure
Russia has expanded the target set for attacks on critical infrastructure in Ukraine by intensifying strikes on hydroelectric power plants, according to a report by the US-based Institute for the Study of War (ISW), reports UNIAN.
Thus, during the March 28-29 strikes, Russian forces bombed the Kanevskaya and Dniester hydroelectric plants in the Cherkassy and Chernivtsi regions. Ukrainian officials also said Russian strikes targeted unspecified critical infrastructure in the Ivano-Frankovsk and Dnipropetrovsk regions, while Russian war reporters said Russian troops struck the Krivorijskaya power plant and the Srednedniprovskaya hydroelectric plant in Dnipropetrovsk region. In addition, Russian strikes on March 22 significantly damaged the Dnieper Hydroelectric Power Plant (HPP) in Zaporizhia, and the facility is likely to be out of service for some time.
As analysts recall, ISW previously assessed that Russian strikes on Ukrainian energy facilities could be aimed at damaging Ukraine's defense-industrial capabilities and that Russian forces are likely trying to exploit Ukraine's lack of air defense missiles in a new attempt to disrupt the Ukrainian energy grid.
"Russia's new plan to strike Ukrainian dams and hydroelectric plants is a significant reversal and escalation of Russia's strike campaign against Ukraine. Russian forces have not previously launched prolonged missile strikes against Ukrainian dams and hydroelectric plants," said the analysts. Russian strikes on energy infrastructure.
On the night of March 29, 2024, Russia launched a powerful missile and aviation attack on energy and fuel facilities in Ukraine, using various types of missiles and attack drones. In total, the Russian forces launched 99 means of air attack.
