Ukrainians are expecting the worst winter of power blackouts since Russia’s invasion began. Energy companies say they’re struggling to keep homes connected to gas and electricity grids because of intensifying drone and missile strikes on energy facilities.

Chernihiv Oblast

Russian forces have invaded Ukraine from land, air and sea with strikes causing widespread damage. Global leaders have condemned the move and imposed sanctions.

Ukraine Invasion

Ukrainian energy workers in Chernihiv Oblast are facing unprecedented dangers as Russian drone and missile attacks on electrical and gas facilities intensify. Technicians describe near-daily strikes, with substations repeatedly targeted and repair efforts hampered by the frequency and accuracy of the assaults. 

The resulting power outages have led to rolling blackouts in cities, causing significant disruptions for residents, especially those in high-rise buildings. Despite Ukraine's efforts to target Russian oil refineries, Russia's aerial campaign continues unabated, prompting calls for increased international support as the country prepares for what could be its harshest winter since the conflict began.

Ukraine braces for worst winter blackouts

Anatoly Toptun says maintaining electrical substations has never been as dangerous in the nearly 30 years he's done the job. He'd just finished a repair when two of his colleagues were killed by Russian drones. He says he survived the strike by tying his belt around his leg to stop the bleeding from a shrapnel wound. Nekraim was driving in front when the first drone hit. Anatoly and his colleagues say they stopped and got out of the car behind to help the injured driver. At that moment a second drone hit us. I flew off the road into the ditch and the other guys were also knocked down. There was a lot of smoke. Minutes later two ambulances came and they brought us here to the hospital. Russia's launching hundreds of drones and dozens of missiles at Ukraine every week. Many of them target gas and electrical facilities. A wall of sandbags didn't save this one. Serhii Padoveza, who's Anatoly's manager at the regional power company, told us here in Chernihiv region they're especially vulnerable because it's close to Ukraine's border with Russia and that substations like this one are hit almost every day. A drone hit the roof, it damaged the equipment inside and before it could be repaired the following night a second drone hit here. The technicians say it's getting more difficult to keep up with the repairs because the aerial attacks are getting more accurate and more intense. Russian drones fly further and carry more explosives than ever before and they're attacking in greater numbers. Meanwhile Ukraine's targeting of Russian oil refineries has reduced fuel production but it hasn't slowed Russia's aerial attacks and the resulting power cuts in Ukraine's cities. Rolling blackouts are becoming more frequent. It's gruelling for those who live on the upper floors of tall buildings but better to be on the stairs than in the lift when the power goes out. These elevator technicians say they're rushed off their feet with back-to-back call-outs from people who are trapped as the electricity cuts in one part of Chernihiv city after the next. This is war. What can you do? I would like it to end as soon as possible. We're all fed up with it. Ukraine says Russia's weaponising winter again and it needs more international support to stop it. Russia's aerial attacks are unrelenting. The days are getting shorter and colder. People here are braced for the worst winter since the war began. Malcolm Webb, Al Jazeera, Chernihiv region, Ukraine.

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Ukraine braces for worst winter blackouts

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