A sudden massive strike: why the shelling on the night of October 22 became indicative for Ukraine

In the capital, the number of victims increased to 21 people, including five children, including a 2-year-old child. Two people died. 5 adults and 4 children were hospitalized, the rest receive outpatient care. In the city, houses, a medical facility, and garages were damaged by debris. The Russians also attacked the Kyiv region. Four people died in Brovary district. There are wounded in Brovary and Obukhiv district.

In Zaporizhzhia, fires broke out in a high-rise building and private houses due to shelling: 13 were injured, and almost 2,000 people were without electricity. In the Poltava region, direct hits and debris damaged the oil and gas infrastructure in the Myrhorod district. There are no victims or injured, said the acting chief of staff. Volodymyr Kogut, head of OVA. In Odesa, drones hit Izmail: energy and port infrastructure was damaged.

Critical objects are working, there are no injured or dead, the fire has been extinguished. Due to the Russian attack on the energy sector, emergency shutdowns occurred in most regions on the morning of October 22, including in Kyiv. It is most difficult in Sumy Oblast and Chernihiv Oblast due to damaged equipment. There are consumers without electricity in other areas as well.

 Due to the consequences of previous shelling, from 16:00 to 22:00 in all regions there will be power restriction schedules for industrial consumers. The Air Force of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that on the night of October 22, Russia used 433 air attacks. Among them: Military expert Oleg Zhdanov believes that the Russian attack on Ukraine on October 22 was a spontaneous, emergency response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian territory.

The attack was not prepared in advance - the Russians used what they could quickly organize. According to Zhdanov, their spontaneity is evidenced by the structure of the strike. "At first, ballistic missiles attacked Ukraine, then cruise missiles, but from the same Iskander complexes. The drones were launched en masse only from two o'clock in the morning, although usually after this time the air defense already completes the interception of the average daily norm - about 100 "Shakhed".

the third stage — repeated ballistic launches at 4-5 o'clock. And with the rise of the MiG-31 into the sky, "Daggers" were added, the expert notes. Such a combined attack, according to Zhdanov, demonstrates that the Russian Federation can suddenly organize a massive missile-drone strike. And this night is indicative. According to the expert, similar attacks may recur in the near future. The Russian army has enough for that resources and technical capacity for sudden massive strikes.

Russia is able to react quickly, using existing stocks and operational launch complexes. "According to estimates, they produce up to 200 Shaheds per day. In the last week, 100 or less were attacked - therefore, they accumulated a stock of 500-700 units. 20–30 Iskander missiles are produced per month, according to the GUR, their stock is about 200–300 units. In general, the industry of the Russian Federation releases about 100 missiles of various types every month," the expert concludes.

This requires Ukraine to be constantly ready for air defense and to quickly restore the energy infrastructure after the strikes. We will remind that the Russian Federation struck Naftogaz facilities three times during the week. The goal is to leave Ukrainians with gas and heat in the winter. The strikes are becoming more accurate thanks to intelligence. Focus understood why strikes become more targeted and that can save the power system from another collapse.