Gasoline is in the drone's shadow. Will Russia's strikes leave Ukraine without gas stations?

In June and July, the Russian Federation intensified its strikes against Ukrainian gas stations. This has already threatened the stability of regional fuel supplies. What comes next? This summer, the Russian Federation began striking gas stations, fuel storage facilities, and fuel transportation routes more frequently. Some operators have raised alarms. "We are facing a fuel retail crisis," warned Dmytro Lyoshkin, Director General of Prime Group. Ukraine previously emerged from its last fuel crisis by reducing state regulation of the market. Today, some market participants are proposing even more radical measures: permitting gasoline sales from mobile gas stations—that is, effectively from tanker trucks—to increase the difficulty of targeting fixed stations. However, other market participants oppose such liberalization. Whether this step is necessary—and what threats Russia’s attacks on Ukraine’s fuel retail sector pose—is detailed in LIGA.net’s reporting. The market self-regulates. What makes Ukrainian gas stations resilient? Despite lacking domestic refining capacity, Ukraine has not experienced shortages of gasoline or diesel. Over several years of full-scale war, station operators have built a reliable fuel import system. The only breakdown occurred early on—in spring 2022. At that time, the government imposed maximum price caps on fuel sales, resulting in shortages. Raising the price cap resolved the supply shortfall. Subsequently, the government fully abandoned price controls—and since then, no similar crisis has recurred. Even systematic bombings of fuel depots have failed to cause fuel shortages. As of May 2025, over 70 such facilities had been struck. Strikes continue: according to LIGA.net, in recent months alone one major chain lost four depots. Military risks compel companies to limit fuel stockpiles within Ukraine. "Everyone is constantly importing fresh supplies," explained Volodymyr Petrenko, founder of the UPG network. At UPG itself, virtually no fuel is stored inside Ukraine; average on-site inventory at stations lasts only five to six days. This model has drawbacks: any price change abroad immediately affects retail prices in Ukraine. Yet until recently, fuel supply itself remained secure, with no major disruptions. However, starting mid-2026, Russia shifted its targeting—from storage facilities and fuel production—to fuel retail infrastructure. "The problem has gone beyond the consumer market." What consequences will strikes on gas stations bring? Gas stations had been attacked in previous years, but according to the industry publication Naftorynok, the number of attacks increased threefold (i.e., quadrupled) between April and June 2026. Andriy Pivovarsky, CEO of the WOG gas station network, stated on June 25 that over 150 gas stations across Ukraine had been burned down in the past two months. Starting in early July, the Russian Federation’s attacks on gas stations reached a pace of 20 per week—compared to just two or three per week between October 2025 and April 2026, Naftorynok reported.

Russia targets hundreds of gas stations in Ukraine.

Ukraine has erected hundreds of kilometers of modified fishing nets above roads, bridges, and other critical infrastructure to create temporary anti-drone corridors capable of intercepting small FPV drones. The road from Kharkiv to Kyiv forms part of the pan-European E40 highway—the same route serving as one of two main logistical corridors linking the capital with frontline regions. This has raised concerns that attacks could disrupt both civilian travel and military resupply. Skoryk urged drivers to ensure their vehicles were fully fueled before traveling along affected sections of the E40. Ukrainians were last advised to carry fuel cans during the first weeks of Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022, when fuel imports were severely constrained. Poltava—a city located along this route—has seen repeated gas station attacks in recent weeks, according to Dyakivnych. He said these strikes "are putting pressure on society." Yet he added that, in the war’s fifth year, "people have largely grown accustomed to the enemy continually devising new tactics of terror and intimidation." Poltava is among several regions hit repeatedly by gas station attacks in recent weeks. Dyakivnych said Russian forces struck four gas stations within hours last Saturday—all situated along the road to Kharkiv. Citing security reasons, he declined to disclose the total number of stations hit and insisted there was no fuel shortage in his region. Dyakivnych described the attacks as "an attempt at retaliation for strikes on their refineries," bringing the war closer to Russian territory than at any point since President Vladimir Putin launched the full-scale invasion in 2022. "They have failed to achieve significant battlefield successes in recent months, their economy is performing increasingly poorly, and social tensions are escalating," Dyakivnych added. He acknowledged these attacks are affecting Ukrainian business, making logistics and cargo transport more difficult. Combined with rising global fuel prices, this could ultimately push up prices in supermarkets, shops, and service sectors, he added. Attacks have also extended to southeastern frontline regions—including Donetsk, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia. Ivan Fedorov, head of the Zaporizhzhia Regional Military Administration, told Ukrainian television news earlier this month that over 30 gas stations in the region had recently been destroyed by Russian strikes. "Striking gas stations is the enemy’s top priority," he said. Russian forces use Iranian-designed "Shahed" attack drones—known locally as "Geranium" drones—as well as fixed-wing explosive drones to target gas stations. They also deploy heavy aerial bombs capable of gliding dozens of kilometers and destroying entire buildings or city blocks. Near the front line, small drones manually operated by Russian personnel have also locked onto gas stations. In Sloviansk—an eastern Ukrainian industrial city now located about 15 kilometers from advancing Russian troops—the Financial Times observed locals nervously refueling cars at a gas station converted into a makeshift shelter. Its narrow shop and fuel tanks were protected by thick concrete blocks.

Ukraine Fortifies Fuel Stations Against Russian Attacks

15 hours ago

Ukrainian state-owned oil company Ukrnafta is reinforcing filling stations with blast barriers after over 300 were destroyed by Russian strikes, aiming to prevent fuel shortages during winter.

reuters

2026-10-08

Ukraine Fortifies Fuel Stations Against Russian Attacks

Ukraine Fortifies Fuel Stations Against Russian Attacks

FAQ