Chernihivoblenergo worker returns to duty after being wounded in enemy drone strike

On 21 April, Anatoliy Toptun, a foreman at the Bakhmach production unit, returned to work after a lengthy recovery from serious injuries sustained when Russian drones struck a column of energy workers in October 2024.

Source: @chernigivoblenergo

On 21 April, Anatoliy Toptun, foreman of the 35 kV and above substation service at the Bakhmach production unit of Chernihivoblenergo JSC, returned to his job after months of medical treatment. On 10 October 2024, Toptun and his colleagues came under enemy fire near the village of Zhadove in Semenivka territorial community. Russian forces struck the workers' vehicles with drones as the team was returning from emergency repair operations. Transport and logistics driver Anatoliy Savchenko was killed at the scene. Ruslan Deineha, a driver from the Bakhmach unit, later died in hospital from his injuries. Toptun, along with electricians Oleksandr Chuiko and Artur Obolenskyi, survived but sustained injuries of varying severity. Toptun's injuries were the most critical of the three. His return to work after an extended recovery stands as a testament to the resilience of the company's employees, who continue to keep the lights on across Chernihiv Oblast even in wartime conditions.