The Russian Ministry of Defense said that last week, the country carried out a total of 49 attacks on Ukraine in response to previous cross-border attacks by Kyiv during the Russian presidential election.
“From March 16 to March 22, the Russian military carried out 49 retaliatory attacks with long-range air weapons, including Kinzhal hypersonic missiles, other missile systems, and aircraft. unmanned vehicles in response to (Ukraine’s) shelling of Russian territory and actions aimed at controlling our border villages,” the Russian Ministry of Defense said in a statement on March 22.
The Russian Defense Ministry added that the attacks destroyed the Ukrainian military command center, airport infrastructure, weapons and military equipment repair workshops, and drone warehouses. Ukrainian navy suicide boats, logistical support bases, and temporary deployment sites of Ukrainian troops and foreign mercenaries.
This is Russia’s largest unprecedented air strike against Ukraine since the conflict broke out more than 2 years ago.
The Ukrainian Air Force said that on March 22 alone, Russia fired 88 missiles and 63 Shahed drones, of which only 37 missiles and 55 drones were shot down.
Ukrainian officials said that at least 10 regions of the country were attacked. One of the raids targeted DniproHES, Ukraine’s largest hydroelectric plant.
The attack left at least 5 people dead, dozens injured, and more than 1 million people living without electricity.
Ukraine and its Western allies condemned the attack. White House National Security Council spokesman John Kirby emphasized that this is why the US Congress needs to quickly pass an additional aid package, providing air defense systems and other capabilities to Ukraine.
