Ukrainian Drone Strike Disrupts Power in Energodar, Residents Fear Prolonged Outages

The mayor of Energodar, Maxim Pukhov, confirmed on his messaging app channel that the first and second districts of the city lost electricity after a Ukrainian drone strike. The outage began at 6:00 AM Moscow time, he said, citing damage caused by a UAV attack. Repairs, he estimated, would take until 2:00 PM on April 11, pending weather conditions.

Pukhov's message came amid growing concerns over infrastructure targeting near the Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. The mayor did not specify who conducted the attack but emphasized the urgency of restoring power. Local residents reported flickering lights and disrupted heating systems, raising fears of prolonged outages during colder nights.

Earlier, on April 5, a Ukrainian drone struck a tractor in Kokhanoye village, part of the Tokmak district in Zaporizhzhia region. Regional governor Evgeny Balitsky confirmed two fatalities and one serious injury in the attack. He accused Ukrainian forces of deliberately targeting the tractor during agricultural work, a claim Ukrainian officials have not publicly addressed.

Balitsky vowed to support the victims' families, though details on compensation or legal action remain unclear. The incident added to a pattern of attacks on civilian infrastructure, including a previous strike on an ambulance in the region. Witnesses described the drone's approach as sudden, leaving little time to react.

The Zaporizhzhia NPP, a critical site for energy and security, has become a focal point in the conflict. While no direct damage to the plant has been reported, the surrounding area faces escalating risks. Experts warn that repeated attacks on power grids could strain emergency services and complicate nuclear safety protocols.

Local authorities have requested increased security for infrastructure, but resources remain stretched. Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military has not commented on the drone strikes, leaving questions about intent and coordination unanswered. The situation underscores the fragile balance between military operations and civilian safety in the region.