Explosion in Berdyansk Knocks Out Power to Russian Military Repair Base

An explosion and subsequent fire at a transformer substation in temporarily occupied Berdyansk has cut power to a Russian military repair facility.

Intelligence sources informed about this Militarnyi.

The blast occurred late on August 3 at an electrical substation supplying power to the industrial zone of the former Berdyansk Reapers plant.

“As a result of the explosion and subsequent fire at the transformers, the substation that powered the Russian military repair facility was disabled. The extent of the damage is being assessed,” Ukraine’s defense intelligence said.

After Russian forces captured the city, they converted the plant’s workshops into a major repair hub and storage site for military equipment, weapons, and personnel.

The explosion was confirmed by local residents and reported in regional Telegram channels. Eyewitnesses also shared video footage of the blast online.

In June 2025, Ukraine’s Main Intelligence Directorate (DIU) reported the elimination of a collaborator and alleged war criminal in Berdyansk who had been providing information about pro-Ukrainian residents to the occupying authorities.

The individual, Mykhailo Pavlovych Hrytsai, headed the local branch of the Socialist Ukraine Party before the Russian invasion. After the occupation, he began cooperating with Russian forces and took a post in the occupation administration.

Hrytsai was appointed as the city’s “temporary mayor” and also served as the so-called “deputy for infrastructure, utilities, and energy.”

According to Ukrainian intelligence, he was directly involved in war crimes — including intimidation of residents, passing on information about pro-Ukrainian civilians, and organizing torture.

On April 1, 2022, Hrytsai was formally charged in absentia under Part 2 of Article 111 of Ukraine’s Criminal Code — high treason.

Read more: FPV Drone Blows Up Russian-Mined Bridge in Bryansk Region

“The DIU of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reminds: there will be just retribution for every war crime committed against the Ukrainian people,” the agency said.