Ukraine’s energy sector is reeling after a series of massive Russian air attacks targeted key gas infrastructure, forcing Kyiv to rely heavily on imports ahead of the cold winter months.
President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Thursday that Russia launched more than 300 drones and 37 missiles overnight, striking critical energy facilities across the country. “This autumn, the Russians use every single day to strike at our energy infrastructure,” he posted on X.
Sergii Koretskyi, CEO of state-owned energy firm Naftogaz, confirmed that six major gas facilities had been hit this month alone, damaging sites in multiple regions. “This directly impacts domestic gas production, which we are forced to cover through imports,” Koretskyi stated, urging citizens to use gas sparingly.
The Russian Defence Ministry later confirmed the attacks, claiming they targeted facilities “supporting Kyiv’s military” in retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil infrastructure, including an oil refinery in the Saratov region.
With production disrupted, Ukraine faces an urgent need for imported gas to sustain heating and electricity through the winter. Former gas transit operator Serhiy Makogon warned that Kyiv would need to import at least 6.3 billion cubic metres (bcm) of gas for the 2025/26 winter season — a figure higher than the Energy Ministry’s estimate of 4.6 bcm.
“Everything depends on Russian strikes. If they intensify, we will have to import more or restrict supplies to consumers,” Makogon told Reuters.
The energy crisis adds pressure ahead of Friday’s planned meeting between Zelenskiy and former U.S. President Donald Trump, where potential U.S. energy procurement and weapons support are expected topics.
As the war grinds into its fourth year, Ukraine braces for yet another freezing winter one where keeping homes warm may depend on how quickly allies step in to help.
