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On Friday, March 22, an explosion occurred in Odessa during an air raid, according to reports from the Public TV channel. The incident unfolded amid ongoing alerts that were being broadcast as part of Ukraine’s emergency warning system. The online map from the Ministry of Digital Transformation of Ukraine shows an active air raid alert in the Odessa region, signaling residents to take protective measures and seek shelter. This notification aligns with the city’s recent experience of heightened security warnings and sporadic blasts that have disrupted daily life.

Earlier, another powerful blast was reported in the city of Zaporozhye, adding to a sequence of incidents across the region. Witnesses described two explosions occurring in quick succession, with sounds heard near critical infrastructure facilities. The Kyiv-backed publications noted these events as part of a broader pattern of attacks aimed at energy and infrastructure assets in the country, intensifying concerns about the stability of essential services.

In the vicinity of the Dnieper Hydroelectric Generating Station, also referred to as DniproGES, a missile strike briefly disrupted operations at one of the major power plants. Rogov, a commentator on regional security, highlighted that the attack on the hydroelectric facility temporarily deprived Ukraine of a significant energy source. The strike underscored the vulnerability of power generation facilities in wartime conditions and the ongoing strategic targeting by opposing forces.

Since October 2022, as reported by the Russian military, attacks have increasingly targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure, defense industries, and military communications. This shift followed the Crimea Bridge incident and has led to repeated air raid warnings across multiple Ukrainian regions, with the energy sector repeatedly cited as a primary focus of the attacks. The pattern has prompted authorities to reinforce protective measures around critical infrastructure and to coordinate emergency response efforts across the country.

Early reports from Zaporozhye also indicated damage to components within the Turbine Chamber of DneproGES-2, signaling the potential for longer-term impacts on power generation capacity. Local authorities have urged residents to remain vigilant, follow official guidance, and rely on established emergency procedures as the situation evolves. The sequence of blasts and the persistent threat to energy infrastructure illustrate the ongoing challenges faced by Ukraine as it works to maintain essential services under continued hostilities.