Russia targets Dnipro HPP: Attack aftermath and station details

Strike on HPP

During the night of March 22, Russian occupiers launched a missile strike on the DniproHES. It is known that there were two direct hits - on the HES-1 and HES-2 power stations.

Reports indicate that at the time of the attack, there was traffic on the dam. A trolley bus carrying people was hit.

Traffic on the dam road has been completely restricted.

Consequences of the attack

The head of Ukrhydroroenergo, Ihor Syrota, reported that as a result of the shelling, the HES-2 station is in critical condition. It is currently unknown whether it will be possible to restore it. According to him, two missiles hit the HES-2 station, one of which struck the crane beams and hit the pillar.

"So, HES-2 is in critical condition, HES-1 is also not working right now. Therefore, we are taking all measures to, let's say, raise the gates and release water, so unfortunately, we will not be able to work with this water through the plant," Syrota said.

As a result of the Russian strike on the DniproHES in Zaporizhzhia, one person died.

Footage of a massive fire at the Dnipro HPP after the shelling was published online.

Consequences of the attack (t.me/Denys_Smyhal)

Consequences of the attack (t.me/Denys_Smyhal)

Consequences of the attack (t.me/Denys_Smyhal)

What is known about DniproHES

The Dnipro HPP is the first hydroelectric power station built on the Dnipro River. It is the largest hydroelectric power station in Ukraine. It is located in the Dniprovskyi district of Zaporizhzhia.

Construction of the DniproHES began in March 1927. It was put into operation for the first time five years later. By 1939, it reached its full capacity.

wikipedia.org

During World War II in 1941, the DniproHES was halted. The Soviet NKVD blew up the HPP dam after receiving information about the breakthrough of German troops. The explosion in the dam caused a breach 175.5 meters long and 21.2 meters high. A six-meter wave flooded the adjacent territories. Thousands of people died as a result of the explosion, and the exact number of casualties could not be determined.

wikipedia.org

German occupiers partially restored the DniproHES and put it back into operation. In 1943, as German troops retreated, they destroyed the power plant's turbine hall, shield wall, and dam. Reconstruction of the station lasted between 1944 and 1950.

Construction of the second station, HES-2, began in 1969. The station's launch was gradual, and HES-2 was fully operational by 1980.

DniproHES capacity

As of January 2022, the installed capacity of the station is 1578.6 MW. There are 10 hydro units installed at DniproHES-1 and 8 hydro units at HES-2.

On October 31, 2022, Russian forces targeted the DniproHES during a massive attack on Ukraine's energy infrastructure. An enemy missile hit the electrical substation of the DniproHES.

Massive attack

Overnight on March 22, aggressors launched a massive attack on Ukraine, releasing over 150 drones and missiles. Air defense forces shot down 55 Shahed drones and 37 missiles.

The energy sector was among the targets. Specifically, the Russians targeted the DniproHES. Kharkiv is in a dire situation, with power outages, internet problems, water shortages, and non-functioning public transport.

Power outages also occurred in the Dnipropetrovsk, Poltava, Sumy, Odesa, and Khmelnytskyi regions. Critical infrastructure objects in the Ivano-Frankivsk, Vinnytsia, and Mykolaiv regions were also targeted.

State energy company Ukrenergo has already called today's attack on the energy sector the largest since the war began.

More details about the consequences of the massive attack are in the RBC-Ukraine coverage.