Dnipro HPP missile attack: environmental damage estimated at over $3.5 million

Environmental inspectors recorded soil contamination and a stain of oil products weighing about 0.5 tons.

The situation has now stabilized. At the moment, no excess oil content is recorded at any sampling point.

Experts from the State Environmental Inspectorate and the State Water Agency continue to monitor the water quality in the Dnipro River below the Dnipro HPP dam on a daily basis.

Over 600,000 tons of demolition waste have already been generated across the country.

Missile attack on Dnipro HPP on March 22 – what is known

Russia carried out the largest-scale attack on Ukraine’s power grid since the invasion on March 22, with the most serious attack on the Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Plant in Zaporizhzhya, which suspended its operations. According to official reports from Ukrenergo, Ukrhydroenergo, and the Ukrainian authorities, the following are the consequences of the attack on the facility:

The plant was hit at least eight times, in particular, the support tower and crane beams of the Dnipro HPP were damaged. After that, a fire broke out at the facility. In total, Russia fired at least 20 missiles at Zaporizhzhya. 

HPP-2 will not be able to operate for a certain period or will operate in a limited mode.

The plant’s engine room and electrical equipment will have to be restored from scratch.

Ukraine has lost another 20% of its regulating capacity as a result of Russian strikes on the Dnipro HPP.

According to the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Natural Resources of Ukraine, the damage to the Dnipro River as a result of the Russian missile attack on Dnipro HPP amounts to about 159,000 hryvnias ($4,048).

The Dnipro Hydroelectric Power Station consists of two power plants, forming a single complex of hydraulic structures located under one dam — Dnipro HES-1 (10 hydroelectric units with radial-axial type turbines) and Dnipro HES-2 (8 hydroelectric units: 6 with Kaplan turbines, 2 with propeller turbines).