Russia’s renewed attacks on Ukraine’s gas infrastructure threaten to leave millions without heat this winter, forcing Kyiv to seek emergency imports and loans.
Russia has intensified airstrikes on Ukraine’s gas infrastructure, damaging key production facilities in Kharkiv and Poltava regions ahead of winter. Naftogaz CEO Sergii Koretskyi described the Oct. 3 attack as “the largest strike on gas facilities since the start of the invasion,” with 35 missiles and 60 drones launched, many ballistic.
President Volodymyr Zelensky said Moscow aims to create “chaos and psychological pressure” by targeting energy and transport networks. Bloomberg reported that about 60 percent of Ukraine’s gas production may have been destroyed, forcing Kyiv to import up to 4.4 billion cubic meters of gas. Energy Minister Svitlana Grynchuk said Ukraine will need to boost gas imports by 30 percent, while Naftogaz secured a $70 million loan to help.
Analysts say the strikes mark a tactical shift toward depriving civilians of heat, especially in rural areas reliant on gas. Meanwhile, Ukraine has intensified drone attacks on Russian refineries, striking the Korobkovsky gas plant in Volgograd.