Konotop Dark for Fourth Day After Drone Strikes

Mayor Artem Semenikhin said the city of Konotop in Sumy Oblast has no forecast for when electricity will return. The community has been without power for four consecutive days following Russian attacks on energy infrastructure.

The blackout began after 03:00 on October 24, when Russian forces launched a large-scale drone strike on the Konotop hromada. The attacks hit energy facilities, a school, and residential houses. Later that afternoon, a drone struck a civilian agricultural business in the district, killing a 31-year-old farm worker and injuring four others.

As of the night of October 26 to 27, the city remains dark. Semenikhin told Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne that most of Konotop has also lost its gas supply. He noted that educational institutions sustained damage. The local hospital is now operating on generators to maintain services.

Water distribution has shifted to a scheduled system. Residents receive water between 06:00 and 09:00 in the morning and again between 18:00 and 21:00 in the evening. Semenikhin posted on Telegram that the uncertainty regarding the electricity supply persists. He stated, "Unfortunately, there are no forecasts for when power will be restored. No forecasts at all."

Sumyoblenergo, the regional power distribution company, reported that emergency repair crews are working around the clock. The utility said the duration of the repairs depends on the current security situation. Crews must be able to safely access the damaged sites to complete the work.