No gas, scheduled water: Konotop residents face fourth day in darkness

For residents of Konotop in Sumy Oblast, the fourth day of a total blackout has brought a loss of basic utilities that now govern daily life. As of the night of October 26, the city remains without electricity following Russian strikes that began on the night of October 23 and 24. The power outage has not been the only disruption; most of the city has also lost its gas supply, forcing households to adapt to a strict new routine.

Mayor Artem Semenikhin provided a detailed account of the current conditions during an interview with Ukrainian public broadcaster Suspilne and in a post on Telegram. He explained that educational institutions sustained damage, and the local hospital is now operating on backup generators. Water service has been reduced to specific time windows, available only from 06:00 to 09:00 and from 18:00 to 21:00. These changes require residents to plan their activities around the hours when essential services are active.

Semenikhin stated that the uncertainty surrounding the power grid is a primary source of stress for the population. He noted that there are currently no predictions for when the electricity will return. The mayor emphasized the lack of a clear timetable, writing, "Unfortunately, there are no forecasts for when power will be restored. No forecasts at all."

The regional power distribution company, Sumyoblenergo, confirmed that emergency repair crews are working continuously to address the damage to energy facilities. However, the company noted that the speed of repairs is contingent on the security situation and the ability of crews to reach the damaged sites safely. The physical access to the infrastructure remains a variable that complicates the restoration process.

The current crisis stems from a large-scale drone attack launched by Russian forces after 03:00 on October 24. The strikes targeted energy facilities, a school, and residential buildings, causing the initial blackout. Earlier that same afternoon, a separate drone strike hit a civilian agricultural business in the district, killing a 31-year-old farm worker and injuring four others.