Russia's massive missile barrage targets Ukrainian power grid

In a coordinated, massive attack on Ukrainian territory, Russia used a combination of 210 flying devices, consisting of 120 missiles and 90 drones. The country's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, confirmed on Sunday morning that the key target was energy infrastructure.

"Massive combined attack on all regions of Ukraine. Overnight and in the morning, Russian terrorists used various types of drones, including Shaheds. Cruise missiles, ballistic and aerial: Zircon, Iskander, Kinzhal. In total, approximately 120 missile rockets and 90 drones. Our air defense forces destroyed over 140 aerial targets," he wrote on Telegram.

Zelensky stated that the energy infrastructure was the key target of these attacks. Many facilities were damaged both directly by the missiles and by shrapnel. The president of Ukraine claims that in Mykolaiv, Russian drones killed two people and injured six, including two children. There were power outages in some areas, and services are already working to restore power.

On Sunday, the Air Forces of Ukraine reported that they managed to shoot down 144 of the 210 drones and missiles launched by Russia during the intense missile attack on Ukraine. Of the 120 missiles and 90 drones, 102 missiles and 42 drones were shot down.

Among the weaponry used by the Russian army were Kinzhal missiles, more than one hundred Ch-101 and Kalibr cruise missiles, Iskander-M ballistic missiles, and other missiles, including one hypersonic Zircon missile used for ship attacks.

The CH-47M2 Kinzhal is a missile approximately 23 feet in length and about 3 feet in diameter. It weighs 10,000 pounds and can reach speeds of about 8 Mach, roughly 6,100 mph. Its range is about 1,240 miles.

The Ch-101 cruise missiles are approximately 24 feet long and weigh around 5,300 pounds. They have the capacity to carry a warhead weighing 1,060 pounds over a distance exceeding 2,800 miles. To ensure precision, the designers have equipped it with advanced guidance systems.

Specifically, the missile's specifications include a satellite navigation module, inertial navigation, and a radio altimeter. Additionally, it has an optical system that allows it to "observe" the terrain during flight and compare it with a pre-defined route stored in its memory.

The 3M14 Kalibr are cruise missiles with a range of up to 1,550 miles. These missiles, just over 20 feet long, are constructed as winged and powered by a turbojet engine. Their specific feature is the ability to fly at very low altitudes, just a few meters above ground or water. This allows them to evade air defenses despite achieving a cruising speed of about 590 mph, equivalent to Mach 0.8.

Equipped with conventional warheads weighing 992 pounds, they can also be adapted to carry thermonuclear warheads. An advanced navigation system combining inertial and satellite technology makes their precise targeting possible.

During the attacks on Ukraine, Russia employed the Iskander-M system, which enabled the firing of ballistic missiles over 23 feet long and nearly 3 feet in diameter. Depending on the load used, these missiles can weigh from 6,600 to nearly 11,000 pounds.

The range of Iskander missiles is up to 310 miles, which is impressive in itself, but the biggest challenge for air defense is their speed. These missiles can reach altitudes of up to 31 miles and move at hypersonic speeds ranging from Mach 6 to 7, equivalent to speeds from about 4,570 mph to approximately 5,340 mph.

Almost the entire Ukrainian missile defense system was engaged, covering actions in all regions of the country.

Authorities in the Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, and Odesa regions also reported fatalities. The attacks damaged power grids, heating systems, and railway infrastructure, local authorities reported.