Russian drone raid wrecks Konotop schools and gas grid

Russian forces conducted a significant drone attack on the city of Konotop, causing substantial damage to schools, energy infrastructure, and transportation systems, resulting in injuries and power outages. Mayor Artem Semenikhin reported the assault on September 18, detailing the extensive destruction across residential zones, educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and transportation infrastructure.

The Russian loitering munitions specifically targeted and damaged School No. 11 and a nearby kindergarten, while medical clinics, municipal transport centers, and railway nodes also sustained direct hits. Dozens of private homes, commercial establishments, and small businesses were impacted. The city's municipal gas distribution network was directly struck, severing transmission lines and halting gas supply to major areas.

Electrical power grids suffered severe damage near the impact points, leading to localized blackouts. Two female civilians, aged 1965 and 1991, were injured in the drone strike and are receiving medical attention. Konotop, a crucial railway junction in Sumy Oblast, has been a frequent target of Russian stand-off strikes throughout late summer and early autumn.

The city had previously experienced heavy bombardment in late August, which damaged railway dispatch nodes, electrical substations, commercial manufacturing plants, and residential apartment buildings.