“They are hitting Zelensky’s gigawatt. Russians have started striking at the gas transmission system to disrupt the deployment of distributed gas generation in Ukraine, a source in the Cabinet of Ministers says
2 October 2024 16:03
EXCLUSIVE
Russian troops have started striking at oil and gas infrastructure facilities to disrupt the deployment of distributed generation in Ukraine and the country’s preparations for the heating season. A source in the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine told Komersant ukrainskyi
According to the source, the aggressor state has recently not only been trying to destroy energy infrastructure facilities, but has also intensified attacks on oil and gas facilities.
“They are hitting the facilities of companies owned by Naftogaz of Ukraine: Ukrgazvydobuvannya, Ukrtransgaz, Ukrtransnafta. They are also attacking the GTS Operator and private companies. There has been damage to equipment and deaths. If earlier the Russians tried to hit underground storage facilities, now they are trying to destroy gas production. The purpose of such strikes is to reduce gas production,”
– the official said.
He noted that this tactic is new for Russian troops, and it is aimed primarily at the deployment of distributed generation, which should run on natural gas.
“The President said that the country would build 1 gigawatt of gas-fired generation before the start of the heating season. So, to prevent this, they are hitting the gas transmission infrastructure. What will the gas reciprocating units run on if there is no gas in the GTS? They are hitting Zelensky’s gigawatt,
– commented
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As a reminder, on 22 March 2024, Russia resumed its attacks on the Ukrainian energy sector, carrying out the most massive shelling in the entire period of the full-scale war. In particular, DniproHES and other Ukrainian energy facilities were hit. Since then, Russia has been regularly shelling Ukrainian energy infrastructure.
For example, the Russians destroyed the Trypillia and Zmiiv thermal power plants, causing Centrenergo to lose 100% of its generation. Also, 5 of DTEK’s 6 thermal power plants were severely damaged.
After that, blackouts began again in Ukraine, Ukrenergo introduced blackout schedules and the government raised electricity tariffs by 60% at once.
At the same time, the Cabinet of Ministers decided to build two new units at the Khmelnytsky N PP and has already received the approval of the relevant parliamentary committee. The Razumkov Centre criticised these plans.
Russia launched another massive attack on the Ukrainian energy sector on 26 August. This time, they attacked distribution and power generation systems, and also hit the Kyiv hydroelectric power station.
Some experts believe that the blackouts could last until spring. The National Security and Defence Council’s Disinformation Countermeasures Centre recently voiced a worst-case scenario that envisages blackouts of up to 20 hours a day.
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Authors: Roman Shevchenko, Oksana Shcherbak
