Russian attacks on Ukrainian gas production infrastructure: consequences and forecasts

Russia's attacks on Ukraine's gas production networks between January and March caused significant disruptions to the country's natural gas market.

In their attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, Russian forces have continually changed their priority targets. At first, the focus was on thermal and hydroelectric power plants, as well as high-voltage substations. Later, the emphasis began to shift to substations that connect nuclear power plants to the energy grid. Since the beginning of 2025, the Russian military has focused its attacks on gas infrastructure facilities, especially gas production sites. While domestic gas production previously fully met the needs of the heating season, the energy sector faces serious tests in preparation for the 2025/2026 heating season. Ukrinform studied how critical the consequences of Russian attacks on Ukrainian gas production infrastructure are and where gas can be obtained for next winter.

ATTACKS ON GAS PRODUCTION INFRASTRUCTURE HAVE NEVER BEEN SO LARGE

In fact, Ukraine’s gas infrastructure and energy sector in general have been targets for Russian attacks since the start of the full-scale invasion in February 2022. For example, in March 2022, Russian aircraft damaged the facilities of the Ukrainian Gas Transportation System Manufacturer LLC in the Kharkiv region, and in May of the same year, the Russian Federation cut off gas supplies through the Sokhranovka gas metering station.

Particularly painful were the Russian attacks on gas storage facilities in the spring of 2024, which coincided with strikes on thermal and hydroelectric power plants. At that time, Naftogaz had to attract international companies to store its gas reserves in underground storage facilities in Ukraine. However, the enemy’s plan was successful, and the attacks on the storage facilities reduced traders’ interest in storing gas in the country.

While attacks on gas infrastructure had previously been targeted at specific facilities, the situation changed dramatically in early 2025. The Russians began to more actively attack gas production facilities in eastern Ukraine, focusing on the assets of the Naftogaz group and private gas producers. As a result, Ukraine was forced to import almost 512 million cubic meters of gas in February, which was a 1,200 percent increase in imports compared to the previous month, according to a report by consulting company ExPro Consulting.

Roman Chumak, acting Chairman of the Board of Naftogaz Group, reported that since the start of a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, Russia has carried out a total of 17 combined missile and drone attacks on Naftogaz Group gas infrastructure facilities.

“As a result of the attacks, significant damage was caused to industrial facilities that ensure gas production. The situation is difficult, but under control. Restoration and repair work is underway. The entire team of the Naftogaz Group and the employees of Ukrgazdobycha are doing everything possible to ensure that the country and consumers have sufficient volumes of gas,” Chumak said in a comment to Ukrinform.

After the Russians chose new targets for their attacks, Naftogaz was forced to start importing gas. “The main goal is to ensure a smooth end to the current heating season and accumulate a strategic fuel reserve for the next winter season,” Chumak noted.

Artem Petrenko, executive director of the Ukrainian Association of Gas Producers, noted in his commentary that the Russians had carefully prepared for the attacks: first, they used a large number of drones to suppress our air defense, then they launched missiles of various types to inflict maximum damage on the facilities.

“In eastern Ukraine, significant damage was caused to industrial facilities and gas production infrastructure, both state and private property. In particular, some facilities stopped production due to shelling. In addition, individual gas fields are damaged to such an extent that they cannot be restored and will have to be restored from scratch,” Petrenko added.

Recovering from attacks will take time and significant investment in both restoring assets and protecting them from future attacks.

“Russian strikes on gas production facilities in February-March seriously upset the balance in the Ukrainian gas market. Statistics on production losses remain undisclosed. According to Reuters, the losses were 40 percent. However, according to the data I have, gas production has decreased, but not so significantly,” says Mikhail Svischo, an analyst at the natural gas market at ExPro Consulting.

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He stressed that, despite Russian attacks, Ukraine had actually successfully passed this heating season thanks to both gas imports and its own production.

According to Petrenko, Ukraine's gas production industry is currently