Complete Blackout in Chernihiv Following Russian Missile Assault

Wed Oct 22 2025 07:33:17 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

The city of Chernihiv in Ukraine faces a total blackout after a massive strike by Russian forces, resulting in casualties and disrupting basic services for its residents.

Chernihiv has been plunged into darkness due to a severe attack by Russian missiles and drones, leaving the entire city and much of the surrounding region without electricity. Amidst casualties and injuries, the attacks mark an escalation in Russia's campaign against Ukrainian energy infrastructure. Local officials state that this targeted assault on civilian infrastructure is part of a strategy to undermine public morale as winter approaches.

The Ukrainian city of Chernihiv is in total blackout following what the authorities describe as a 'massive' assault by Russian missiles and drones, with hundreds of thousands of people affected.

Across the wider Chernihiv region, four people are reported to have been killed as residential neighbourhoods were struck in the town of Novhorod-Siverskyi. Ten others were injured, including a 10-year-old girl.

The country’s most northerly region is the latest to be hit in an intensifying series of attacks on civilian infrastructure as Russia targets energy supplies, the rail network, homes and businesses in its full-scale invasion of Ukraine.

I personally heard the drones flying overhead, said Oleksandr Babich, a 55-year-old resident. He spoke about a night filled with the low whine of Iranian-designed Shahed drones, a sound now increasingly heard far from the war's front lines.

The Chernihiv region shares a border with both Russia and Belarus, giving local air defenses less time to react to any incoming attacks. Reports indicate that in a raid involving over 100 Shahed drones and six ballistic missiles, direct strikes hit Chernihiv's electricity generating facilities, resulting in a complete power loss for the city.

Andriy Podorvan, deputy head of the Chernihiv Regional Military Administration, highlighted a worrying trend with attacks on energy infrastructure drastically increasing over recent months. For around half a year, we have been experiencing targeted strikes on the energy infrastructure in our region, he noted.

This persistent assault has led to significant disruption, including the loss of power for water pumping stations, compelling residents to store bottled water or rely on emergency deliveries. As efforts to restore power commenced, engineers faced delays due to the ongoing attacks.

Experts warn that if Russia's bombardment continues, it could significantly deplete Ukraine’s energy resilience, further impacting both the economy and the psychical well-being of its citizens as winter looms. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has held discussions with U.S. energy leaders about bolstering the nation’s energy sector amid these challenges.

Despite the ongoing hardships, local morale remains surprisingly high as the community unites to support each other. Residents such as Babich affirm their resolve, stating, 'The hero city of Chernihiv did not give up and is not going to give up.' The continued attacks are perceived as a misguided strategy by Russia, pushing Ukrainian civilians closer together in the face of adversity.