Published: · Region: Eastern Europe · Category: conflict

Russian Geran-5 Strikes Black Out Zhytomyr as Ukraine Rushes to Restore Power

Russian drone attacks using Geran-5 systems knocked out electricity across Zhytomyr and triggered outages in other western Ukrainian cities, forcing water supplies onto generators and pushing local authorities to prepare emergency support centers.

Russian drone strikes have left the Ukrainian city of Zhytomyr without electricity and caused power outages in several other western cities, underscoring the continued vulnerability of Ukraine’s grid.

Authorities reported that Russian forces used Geran-5 drones to hit energy infrastructure, leading to blackouts in Zhytomyr, Lutsk, Kovel and Lyuboml. Zhytomyr’s situation is described as critical after strikes on its power facilities cut electricity across the city.

In Zhytomyr, water supplies now depend on generators. Officials do not expect full restoration of power before morning. If electricity isn’t back by then, the city plans to open emergency support centers at 09:00 to provide basic assistance.

The outages come as Ukraine continues to face air alerts in major population centers. Kyiv and several regions recently faced warnings over possible ballistic strikes, and the capital has also announced air-raid alarms due to drone threats.

Russian attacks on energy infrastructure have a direct impact on Ukraine’s economy and daily life, affecting heating, water distribution and transport, and forcing local authorities to divert resources toward backup systems.

The strikes land as Ukraine seeks more support for its energy sector abroad. President Volodymyr Zelensky met German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier in Berlin, where they discussed peace efforts, preparations for negotiations in Abu Dhabi and German assistance to Ukraine’s energy network.

Key indicators now are how quickly engineers can restore power in Zhytomyr and the other affected cities, whether emergency centers need to operate for an extended period, and if Russia increases the tempo of Geran-5 and other drone attacks against energy targets as colder weather sets in.

Sources

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