Assaults on Ukraine’s Gas Extraction Facilities
Russia’s ongoing attacks on Ukraine’s gas extraction infrastructure have caused significant losses in output. Serhiy Koretskyi, Chairman of the Board of NJSC Naftogaz of Ukraine, stated that since the start of 2026, Russia has launched 107 large-scale strikes on Naftogaz group facilities, primarily targeting gas production sites. The latest wave of attacks has persisted for five consecutive days, inflicting severe damage on extraction operations.
On the night of May 5, Russia struck a gas extraction facility in the Poltava region, sparking a fire. As emergency responders worked to contain the damage, occupying forces carried out a second strike targeting the rescue teams. That attack killed two State Emergency Service workers and three Naftogaz employees. Additionally, Russian troops shelled the Kyiv region, hitting the Brovary and Vyshhorod districts.
Making Up for Lost Gas Volumes
Serhiy Koretskyi: 'Of course, we are losing gas. Of course, we will make up for it and restore operations. We will rebuild everything and get it done. As we did last year, we will compensate for the temporary drop in domestic production with imported volumes.'
This strategy aims to offset the lost gas through imports, ensuring the stability of Ukraine’s gas supply chain.
The relentless targeting of gas extraction infrastructure underscores the persistent threat the military conflict poses to Ukraine’s energy security. While the loss of gas from these strikes could severely impact the economy and daily life, Naftogaz’s import plan offers a temporary fix to keep supplies steady. At the same time, the continued assaults highlight the urgent need to bolster defenses in this critical sector.