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March 22 Armed conflicts and attacks Russian invasion of Ukraine Russian strikes on Ukrainian infrastructure March 2024 Ukrainian missile strikes Russia launches dozens of ballistic missiles at Ukrainian cities for the second day in a row, according to power outages in Kharkiv after destroying critical infrastructure.

Reports indicate at least eight missile strikes on Zaporizhzhia, while a "critical infrastructure facility" was damaged in Vinnytsia. More than a million people are without electricity across Ukraine due to the strikes, several people have died, and preliminary data suggests dozens have been injured. (BBC News) (U.S. News & World Report)

The hydroelectric power station on the Dnieper in Zaporizhzhia was hit by a missile strike, resulting in significant destruction and a fire. A trolleybus, which according to initial reports had civilians on board, was destroyed in the attack, later confirming that it was empty except for the driver, who was killed. The shelling also damaged one of the two power lines connected to the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant. (The Guardian) (The Kyiv Independent)

The Russian government announced at a press conference that the invasion of Ukraine is now considered a "war" and is no longer referred to as a "special military operation," the official term used by the Russian government to describe the conflict. In another press conference later that same day, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told journalists that despite the fact that the invasion is essentially a war, the Russian government currently has no plans to change the official status of the invasion, keeping it as a "special military operation." (NOS) (Reuters) (Meduza)

Attack on Crocus City Hall Concert Hall As a result of a mass shooting at the Crocus City Hall music venue in the Moscow region of Russia, at least 62 people have died, and more than 140 have been injured. The building later caught fire after an explosion. The perpetrators remain at large, having fled in a car. (Baza) (Meduza) (Baza 2) (Reuters)

The Islamic State group claimed responsibility for the attack in a statement published by its official news agency, Amaq News Agency. (CNN)

The Legion of Freedom of Russia claims that the attack was carried out by the Russian government. (Ukrainska Pravda)

The Russian government claims that the attack was carried out by the Ukrainian government.

Jihadist uprising in Niger At least 23 Nigerian soldiers have died, 17 have been injured, and another 34 are missing after an ambush in Tegue, Tilaberi region, Niger, by unknown jihadists. The Niger junta claims that 30 jihadists were also killed. (Sahara Reporters)

The Moro conflict: The Philippines declares that the Abu Sayyaf group has been "completely dismantled," bringing an end to decades of violent jihadist insurgency. Twenty members of the group remain on the Sulu and Basilan islands, and negotiations for their surrender are ongoing. (Atlas News) (Philippine Daily Inquirer)

A conflict with bandits in Nigeria: Fourteen people were rescued from kidnappers by Nigerian forces and local militias in Katsina State, Nigeria. (Channels TV)

Disasters and accidents Earthquakes in East Java in 2024 As a result of a 6.4 magnitude earthquake in Bawaena, East Java, Indonesia, significant destruction has occurred. (Detik)

Law and Crime Cannabis in Germany The German Bundesrat approves the partial legalization of cannabis in Germany, which is set to take effect on April 1. (DW)

The gang war in Haiti. The infamous leader of the Haitian gang, Ti Greg, who escaped from prison earlier this month, was shot dead by police in Port-au-Prince, Haiti. (Sky News)

Catherine, Princess of Wales, announces that she has been diagnosed with cancer following a recent abdominal surgery and that she is undergoing chemotherapy. (BBC News).