The Zaporizhzhia nuclear power in southeast Ukraine amid shelling by Russian forces, March 4, 2022

EA-Times Radio Special: How Ukraine Threatens Putin’s Election “Win”

Thursday’s Coverage: Russia Attacks Kyiv, Kills 5 in Kharkiv

Map: Institute for the Study of War

UPDATE 2012 GMT:

In his nightly address to the nation, Ukraine Presidential Volodymyr Zelenskiy said five people were killed and more than 30 wounded by this morning’s “heinous” Russian missile and drone attacks.

This is terror, by definition, without any disguises….

Air defense is the top priority right now. Our people here in Ukraine are responsible for the physical protection of facilities and their recovery following strikes. However, true and comprehensive protection from Russian missiles and ‘Shahed’ drones is only possible with sufficient political will on the part of our partners.

UPDATE 2001 GMT:

Presidential advisor Mykhailo Podolyak has denied any involvement by Ukraine in the Crocus City Hall mass killing near Moscow.

Ukraine certainly has nothing to do with the shooting/explosions in the Crocus City Hall (Moscow Region, Russia). It makes no sense whatsoever …

Ukraine has been fighting with the Russian army for more than two years. And everything in this war will be decided only on the battlefield. Only by the quantity of weapons and qualitative military decisions. Terrorist attacks do not solve any problems….

Ukraine has never resorted to the use of terrorist methods. It is always pointless. Unlike, by the way, Russia itself, which uses terrorist attacks in the current war against Ukraine.

US National Security Council spokesperson John Kirby echoed, “There’s no indication at this time that Ukraine, or Ukrainians were involved in the shooting….We’re taking a look at it, but I would disabuse you at this early hour of any connection to Ukraine.”

UPDATE 1958 GMT:

Footage of gunmen moving through the Crocus City Hall, about 20 km (12.5 miles) from Moscow’s Red Square:

UPDATE 1946 GMT:

At least 40 people have been killed and more than 100 wounded in a mass shooting and fire at Crocus City Hall outside Moscow, according to Russia’s State security service FSB.

Up to five gunmen reportedly carried out the attack. Russia’s Investigative Committee said that it is treating the murders as a “terrorist” assault, but did not say who might be responsible.

Crocus City Hall is a concert venue that is part of a large complex — including a shopping mall, a convention center and several hotels and restaurants — on the northwestern outskirts of Moscow.

Yulia Navalnaya, the widow of the late Russian opposition leader Alexei Navalny, has posted her condolences.

What a nightmare in Crocus. Condolences to the families of the victims and recovery to the injured. All those involved in this crime must be found and held accountable.

UPDATE 1340 GMT:

US officials have urged Ukraine to halt attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure, including oil refineries, according to “three people familiar with the discussions”.

The sources said the warnings were delivered to senior officials at Ukraine’s State security service SBU and military intelligence directorate GUR.

The US officials cited rising oil prices, which have increased about 15% this year to $85 per barrel. They are also concerned over Russian retaliation, including against the CPC pipeline from Kazakhstan through Russia.

In 2022 the Russians briefly shut the pipeline, used by Western companies including ExxonMobil and Chevron.

“We do not encourage or enable attacks inside of Russia,” said a US National Security Council spokesperson.

Ukraine Deputy Prime Minister Olha Stefanishyna said of the “very successful operations conducted on the territory of the Russian Federation”:

We understand the appeals of our American partners. At the same time, we are fighting with the capabilities, resources and practices that we have today.

UPDATE 1320 GMT:

The European Union’s foreign policy head Josep Borrell has added to the condemnation of this morning’s Russian missile and drone strikes.

UPDATE 1040 GMT:

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskiy and leaders of other countries have highlighted the need for aid to Kyiv amid this morning’s Russian missile and drone assault.

Zelenskiy posted:

Air defense is required to protect people, infrastructure, homes, and dams. Our partners know exactly what is needed. They can definitely support us. These are necessary decisions. Life must be protected from these savages from Moscow.

Moldovan President Maia Sandu commented, “Ukraine needs to be provided with whatever it needs so it can resist the invasion and defend peace in Europe.”

Lithuania’s Foreign Minister Gabrielus Landsbergis added:

UPDATE 1036 GMT:

More than 1.2 million people are without power in Ukraine after this morning’s Russian missile strikes targeting energy infrastructure.

Those affected include 700,000 residents in the Kharkiv region in the northeast; at least 200,000 each in the southern Odesa and southeastern Dnipropetrovsk regions; and 110,000 in the Poltava region in central Ukraine.

Ukraine’s grid is getting urgent assistance from Poland, Romania, and Slovakia to cope with the blackouts.

UPDATE 0835 GMT:

The Ukraine Air Force has confirmed one of the largest Russian missile and drone assaults of the 25-month invasion.

Air defenses downed 37 of 92 missiles and 55 of 63 Iran-made drones.

The munitions were fired from Russian-occupied Crimea, Russian bases, and strategic bombers over the Black Sea.

UPDATE 0719 GMT:

Russia’s missile assault this morning also targeted Ukraine’s second city Kharkiv, with about 15 explosions heard.

Mayor Ihor Terekhov said the Russians were targeting the city’s power supply, causing partial blackouts. There were no casualties, but some water pumps stopped working.

In the Zaporizhzhia region in southern Ukraine (see Original Entry), a trolley bus crossing the dam of the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant has been hit.

The Power Plant was set on fire, but the State hydroelectric company Ukrhydroenergo said the situation is now under control.

The mayor of Khmelnytskyi in western Ukraine, Oleksandr Symchyshyn, posted, “It’s a terrible morning. We have damage to infrastructure. Damage to residential buildings. There are casualties and injuries among civilians. More details later.”

Blasts were also heard in Kryvyi Rih in south-central Ukraine. In the central Ukrainian city of Vinnytsia, a “critical infrastructure object” was damaged.

ORIGINAL ENTRY: A Russian missile assault across Ukraine has threatened to cut electricity to the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, Europe’s largest complex.

A “massive missile attack on Ukraine” on Friday morning cut one of the two power lines to the complex, said the Ukrainian military administration for the region. The Russian-controlled management of the plant also said the high-voltage line was down.

The power supply is essential to maintain the safety of the colling systems for Zaporizhzhia’s six reactors. Four are in cold shutdown, while two are in hot shutdown to provide steam and heating to the region.

The damaged power line had been repaired by Ukrainian workers last week after Russian shelling.

“The enemy is now carrying out the largest attack on the Ukrainian energy industry in recent times,” Energy Minister German Galushchenko wrote.

Ukraine’s atomic energy operator Energoatom added, “This situation is extremely dangerous and risks sparking an emergency situation.”

Russian forces seized the plant in early March 2022, days after the start of Vladimir Putin’s invasion. They have turned the complex into a military base, shelling Ukrainian territory across the Dnipro River. The forces have removed Ukrainian senior staff from the plant and placed mines between the inner and outer perimeters.

Last Friday, International Atomic Energy Agency Director General Rafael Grossi wrote:

The power situation at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear power plant continues to be extremely fragile and vulnerable to further disruptions. I remain deeply concerned about the nuclear safety and security situation at this major nuclear facility.

On March 6, Grossi was hosted by Vladimir Putin at Putin’s residence in the resort city of Sochi in southern Russia.