This winter is shaping up to be extraordinarily tough for Ukraine.
Last weekend, a SIGNIFICANT Russian drone and missile assault struck Ukraine’s gas infrastructure, primarily in the Kharkiv and Poltava regions.
The aftermath was catastrophic, as the assault obliterated approximately 60% of the nation’s domestic natural gas output.
This decimation leaves Ukraine precariously at risk as winter approaches, with the wrecked facilities having been crucial for household heating requirements.
Bloomberg reported:
“Russian strikes have eliminated over half of Ukraine’s natural gas production, pressuring the country to allocate 1.9 billion euros ($2.2 billion) for fuel imports in order to endure the impending winter.”
Ukraine now faces the necessity of importing around 4.4 billion cubic meters of gas by March, which represents nearly 20% of its yearly consumption.
After already importing 4.58 billion cubic meters this year, Kyiv is turning to its G7 allies for immediate support.
The glow of fires following a Russian missile attack on Ukrainian gas assets in the Poltava region. October 3, 2025.#SpecialMilitaryOperation #Arrivals#NaziUkraine pic.twitter.com/1y6AtxaFvb
— Rajendran (@Rajendr67215893) October 4, 2025
According to Serhiy Koretskyi, head of Naftogaz Group, the Russians executed the most extensive offensive on Ukraine’s gas production infrastructure to date. “This was a synchronized attack involving 35 missiles, including a substantial number of ballistic missiles, and 60 drones.”
1/6 pic.twitter.com/kvLF9ZCOH7— Artur Rehi (@ArturRehi) October 3, 2025
Watch as Kharkiv plunges into darkness:
THIS is the MOMENT when Ukraine’s second-largest city goes DARK.
Blue flashes light up the sky followed by LOUD EXPLOSIONS as over 20 blasts rock Kharkiv.
Russia’s immediate retaliation comes in response to Ukraine’s attempted strike on Belgorod https://t.co/NVArc437V8 pic.twitter.com/u4YaX8AbXZ
— RT (@RT_com) October 6, 2025
“Russia will do everything it can to obstruct our gas extraction,” stated Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy during a press briefing in Kyiv on Monday. “They will stop at nothing. While the challenge remains to secure funding for gas imports, our priority is to ensure the population has access.”
The European Commission has expressed “deep concern” regarding the damages to infrastructure, pledging to engage in extended coordination.
“We remain seriously troubled by the impact of Russian actions on Ukraine’s energy framework,” commented Anna Kaisa Itkonen, the Commission’s spokesperson for energy. “Our contact with Ukraine regarding the overall energy situation is ongoing.”
‼️ Today’s strikes on gas production sites marked the largest since the onset of the war, according to updates from “Naftogaz,” confirming attacks on facilities in Kharkiv and Poltava.
35 missiles, many of which were ballistic, and 60 drones were launched at these targets. pic.twitter.com/wn3lKwlCCZ
— Maimunka News (@MaimunkaNews) October 3, 2025
Russia has carried out one of its largest attacks on Ukraine’s gas-related facilities:
Russia targets Kyiv’s primary gas production locations in Poltava and Kharkiv @eriknjoka provides further insights pic.twitter.com/BZv0MjkdR6
— WION (@WIONews) October 4, 2025
For additional context, see this from September:
Disruptions in Ukrainian Military Logistics and Supplies Due to Russian Drone Campaign