Russian FPV drone injures 3 energy workers in Sumy Oblast amid power outages in 12 oblasts

On November 9, a Russian FPV drone struck a vehicle carrying Ukrainian energy workers in Sumy Oblast, injuring three of them. One worker is in critical condition, according to Ukrenergo, the state-owned energy operator. The attackers deliberately targeted workers responsible for maintaining and repairing damaged energy infrastructure, Ukrenergo emphasized. This incident is a grim reminder of the dangers faced by energy workers, particularly as Ukraine grapples with widespread power outages due to Russian strikes.

As of November 9, outages were affecting 12 oblasts, with Kyiv and Dnipropetrovsk oblasts experiencing particularly critical conditions. Ukrenergo reported power outages in Chernihiv, Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Kharkiv, Khmelnytskyi, Kyiv, Odesa, Poltava, Rivne, Vinnytsia, Zaporizhzhia, and Zhytomyr oblasts. Emergency repair crews are working to restore electricity where conditions permit.

Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure have intensified ahead of winter, leading to repeated strikes that have damaged power facilities across the nation. This has forced authorities to implement rolling blackouts and emergency power cuts to mitigate the impact. A particularly large strike on November 3 caused widespread outages and water supply disruptions in Kyiv.

Russian forces have also targeted power lines, further complicating efforts to maintain electricity supplies as temperatures drop. Recent attacks were reported in Zolochiv, Kharkiv Oblast, and Kharkiv city, as well as in Odessa Oblast and Rivne Oblast. Emergency power outages were also introduced in Sumy, Poltava, and Kharkiv oblasts due to the strained power grid situation.