They will explode like "shaheeds" over Kyiv: an expert explains why transformers can't handle the voltage.

In the suburbs of Kyiv, two transformers caught fire, leaving thousands of residents in the Borshchahivka district without electricity. Experts see a pattern in this incident and predict that similar situations will occur again. This is reported by Informant Kyiv.

In the Borshchahivka district of Kyiv, two transformers ignited simultaneously. The flames were spectacular — first, a blue arc appeared, followed by an explosion of white light, plunging the entire neighborhood into darkness.

Experts perceive a trend in this incident, as it is economically unfeasible for developers to build transformer substations, each costing around 50 million UAH. As a result, they would hand over buildings and connect them to existing transformers through "informal agreements." Consequently, the stations are overloaded, and with the drop in temperature and increased load on the network, the substations cannot cope and begin to catch fire.

"This is all due to the authorities, developers, and regulatory bodies; some approved mass construction, while others completed it and commissioned the buildings, but not everything — especially the electrical components, as for money, we can get anything accepted. Ultimately, one transformer substation is servicing not 2-3 thousand subscribers, but 8-10 thousand. They will continue to catch fire and explode as the temperature drops, just like the 'Shaheds' flying over Kyiv," explained housing and utilities expert Oleg Popenko.

He added that for specific buildings in Borshchahivka where transformers have failed, residents will be without electricity for 2-3 days if the transformers are under the balance of the distribution system operator. If they are private, the power outage could last several weeks.

Oleg Popenko noted that the overall situation with transformer substations in the Kyiv region is catastrophic, with hundreds of transformers not accepted into the balance, and over a thousand houses that have not been commissioned due to electrical issues.

It is worth mentioning that rolling blackouts lead to situations where, as soon as power is restored, residents of high-rise buildings turn on various appliances simultaneously. This results in overvoltage and transformer failures in the building.