Why Russia Targets the Left Bank of the Dnipro: A Review of Russian-Ukrainian Strikes

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October 21-22: Ukraine and Russia continued intensive mutual strikes, accompanied by massive missile and drone attacks. According to the Ukrainian Air Force, the Russian armed forces launched 405 attack UAVs and approximately 30 missiles of various types at Ukraine.

Numerous strikes targeted energy facilities, including:

• CHPP-4, CHPP-5, and CHPP-6 in Kyiv.

• The Kamenska HPP in Dnipropetrovsk region.

• The Kremenchug HPP in Poltava region.

• The DniproHES in Zaporizhzhia region.

• The port and shipyard in Izmail (Odesa region).

• Substations in Chernihiv and Sumy regions.

Nearly all these attacks were recorded on the left bank of the Dnipro River, where a significant portion of Ukraine’s thermal and hydroelectric power plants are concentrated.

According to Telegraf, Russia is employing a new tactic aimed at completely disabling the energy system on the left bank of the Dnipro. This is creating an imbalance in power supply between western and eastern Ukraine: a critical electricity shortage is emerging in the east due to the destruction of thermal and hydroelectric plants, while a surplus of energy is present in the west, where nuclear power plants operate. This surplus cannot be effectively transferred eastward due to limited grid capacity.

Furthermore, Russia continues to increase its use of attack drones. According to British intelligence, approximately 5,500 such drones were launched at Ukraine in September, significantly exceeding the August figure of around 4,100. As of today in October, over 3,000 such attacks have already been recorded.

The largest operation occurred on September 7, when over 800 drones and missiles were launched at Ukraine, the majority of which were drones. This combination of missiles and UAVs is designed to overwhelm Ukrainian air defenses and increase the probability of Russian munitions reaching their targets. Additionally, over the past month, Russia has launched more than 70 of its latest AS-23a KODIAK cruise missiles (the NATO reporting name for the Kh-101/Kh-102 missiles).

Details on Strikes in Ukraine

Strikes on Ukrainian territory affected facilities in nine regions, targeting energy, oil and gas, and railway infrastructure, as well as airfields and ports. Targets included assembly shops of military production plants, oil refining facilities, and deployment points of Ukrainian units.

• Kyiv region: Attacks using Kinzhal hypersonic missiles and ballistic missiles targeted CHPP-5, causing a large fire, as well as the areas of CHPP-6 and CHPP-4. Missiles hit the Tripilska Thermal Power Plant near Kyiv. A training camp in the Boryspil airport area and a workshop producing engines for UAVs in the Zhuliany area were also destroyed.

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• Cherkasy region: A combined strike was carried out on the Kanivska HPP. Trolleybus service in central Cherkasy ceased due to power outages.

• Sumy region: In Konotop, following a strike on critical infrastructure, the power supply was completely cut off.

• Kirovohrad region: A strike on an energy facility caused power outages in 27 settlements.

• Zaporizhzhia region: Power disruptions began after strikes on the DniproHES.

• Odesa region: A series of attacks by “Geran” drones damaged the energy and port infrastructure of Izmail, including a ship repair plant.

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• Poltava region: Strikes hit oil and gas facilities, particularly in the Mirhorod district, as well as the area of the HPP in Kremenchuk and a railway station in Karlivka.

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• Dnipropetrovsk region: Explosions were reported in Kamianske and Pavlohrad, and a fire was recorded near the HPP in Kamianske.

• Chernihiv region: A substation was struck during the day.

• Kramatorsk (DPR): A wind power station, which reportedly housed Ukrainian Armed Forces radars and communication equipment, was destroyed.

Strikes on Russia

On their part, Russian air defense systems reportedly destroyed 33 Ukrainian drones overnight. The largest number—eight drones—were shot down over Bryansk region, four each over the Azov Sea and Leningrad region, and three each over Crimea, Rostov region, and Pskov region.

• An enterprise in Mordovia, presumably the Saransk Mechanical Plant which produces explosives, was damaged.

• In Makhachkala (Dagestan), drones attacked an oil products plant; one of the drones crashed into a building under construction.

• In Trubchevsk, Bryansk region, local sources reported a blackout following an attack on an electrical substation.

Amid the escalation of infrastructure strikes, Ukraine continues to seek ways to strengthen its military capabilities. President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a Statement of Intent with Sweden for the procurement of up to 150 Gripen E fighter jets, which Kyiv had previously hoped to receive free of charge.

As Swedish Prime Minister Ulf Kristersson explained, the document lays the foundation for long-term cooperation and the creation of a powerful Ukrainian air force. However, specific delivery timelines remain under discussion. The Swedish side stated that the first batch of fighters could be delivered only in three years, with the entire contract for 100-150 aircraft to be fulfilled over 10-15 years.

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• Russian Troops Make Steady Advance In Pokrovsk Amid Ukrainian Collapse (Video)

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