Street lighting in Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities may be switched off not only because of electricity shortages but also as part of blackout measures intended to reduce visibility to Russian attack drones equipped with new guidance systems. Kyiv-based political analyst Ruslan Bortnik discussed this development in a video published on his blog.

According to Bortnik, Ukrainian cities could once again face widespread darkness on their streets, with the situation becoming particularly severe during winter. He believes that restrictions on lighting may increasingly be imposed for military reasons rather than solely because of problems with the electricity supply.

The analyst reported that Russia has begun equipping its Geran attack drones with visual guidance systems. He explained that the technology consists of a camera and an onboard computer containing a visual map of the terrain.

During flight, the drone compares images captured by its camera with the stored visual map while following a predetermined route. According to Bortnik, the introduction of this technology is changing the military significance of lighting in Ukrainian cities.

He believes that the use of visual guidance systems by Russian drones could lead to the expansion of blackout measures beyond Kyiv and the surrounding Kyiv region to other parts of Ukraine.

Such restrictions may involve more than simply reducing the number of illuminated streets. Bortnik expects residents to face additional requirements designed to make populated areas less visible at night.

He predicted that streets in Ukrainian cities would remain dark and that military administrations would ask or require residents to cover their windows with thick curtains or other light-blocking materials.

In his assessment, Ukrainians should prepare for everyday life under conditions of prolonged darkness, particularly during the winter months.

Bortnik also drew a distinction between the current situation and events during the first days of the fighting in 2022, when widespread panic developed in Ukraine over suspected individuals allegedly helping Russian forces identify targets.

He recalled how groups of activists searched Kyiv for suspicious markings on roads and pavements, interpreting crosses painted on the ground as signals intended to guide Russian strikes.

Residents whose apartment windows emitted green or purple light also came under suspicion. In some cases, activists even forced their way into such apartments.

Bortnik described those actions in 2022 as pointless hysteria that had no genuine military significance.

However, he argued that the circumstances have now fundamentally changed because Russian drones are being equipped with visual guidance technology.

In his view, blackout measures that previously served no practical military purpose may now have real defensive value by limiting the visibility of urban areas to drones using visual navigation systems.

The political analyst therefore considers restrictions on street lighting and requirements to cover windows entirely rational under the current circumstances.

Bortnik warned that Ukrainians should prepare in advance for prolonged lighting restrictions. He expects blackout measures to become a regular part of daily life not only in Kyiv but also in other regions of the country.