Russia «knocks out» energy along border: Will Chernihiv and Sumy have power?

Russian forces are striking regional energy infrastructure along the frontline and the border with Russia.

This was reported by Oleksandr Kharchenko, Director of the Energy Research Center, speaking to Kyiv 24.

He cautioned that the most vulnerable zone is a strip about one hundred kilometres wide running along the borders and the line of combat. It is there that Russian strikes have been concentrated on regional substations that lack sufficient protection.

«These regions are located in the maximum risk zone. Over the past month it has become clear that the Russians have changed their strike tactics. They are no longer trying—or barely trying—to attack large-scale national facilities, which are better protected and better prepared for such assaults. Instead, they have switched to regional infrastructure, mainly unprotected substations of regional grids, ” the expert explained.

In his view, Russia seeks to «make life much more difficult» in specific regions within this frontline belt.

«And this is undoubtedly a problem. Frankly, what I see in the news about Chernihiv tells me the city authorities there have failed. Both boiler houses and pumping stations should have been equipped with backup power. And if they have no clear plan, they should be consulting colleagues in Kharkiv, in Mykolaiv, in other cities that are constantly under attack and already know how to provide backup supply. Because for people, this situation is obviously extremely unpleasant, ” Kharchenko concluded.