Ukraine: Authorities implement emergency power outages in multiple areas following major airstrikes Aug. 26 /update 1

Ukrainian energy provider Ukrenergo implemented emergency power outages in at least 15 regions following Russian aerial strikes targeting Ukraine Aug. 26. As of early Aug. 27, the private energy supplier DTEK announced rolling blackouts in Kyiv, Odesa, Donetsk, and Dnipropetrovsk regions. Authorities in Kyiv also reported that the power outages were affecting water supplies. Disruptions will likely continue in coming days; authorities are unable to confirm when they can suspend the emergency power outages.

Transport, business, and telecommunications disruptions will likely affect areas subject to power outages. Malfunctioning traffic signals may disrupt traffic flow in some areas and lead to longer driving times. The electricity disruptions could also result in the temporary unavailability of essential services in affected areas, such as hospitals, ATMs, and fuel stations. Additionally, power disruptions could adversely affect security protocols, including alarm systems and electronic fences; opportunistic criminal activity could increase during the blackouts.