Russian drone strike hits Poltava energy facility, cuts power to 22,000

This incident follows a similar attack on an energy facility in the Lubny district of the same region just two days prior, which left around 6,000 consumers without power. Poltava Oblast, a significant gas-producing area, has been a frequent target of Russian attacks. In March, three consecutive days of strikes on Naftogaz facilities in the region led to the death of one employee.

Russia has escalated its attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure as winter approaches, targeting power generation, transmission, and gas facilities across the country. These renewed assaults are reminiscent of Russia's campaign against Ukraine's power grid last winter, which caused widespread disruptions. This autumn, however, Russia appears to be broadening the scope of its infrastructure campaign, with attacks now also targeting bridges in Kyiv alongside energy sites.