Over the past month, the Russians have attacked about 100 Ukrainian gas stations: what drivers should be prepared for
6 July 18:21
For the first time since the start of the full-scale war, Russian troops have begun systematically targeting gas station networks in various regions of Ukraine. In the last month alone, approximately 100 gas stations operated by various companies have come under attack.
This was reported by Alexander Melnichuk, marketing director of the “BRSM-Nafta” network, according to "Komersant Ukrainian".
According to him, Russian forces are using Shahed-type attack drones and Lancet loitering munitions for the attacks. Gas stations in Zaporizhzhia, Dnipro, Sumy, Kryvyi Rih, Kherson, as well as in the Odesa and Mykolaiv regions, have already been hit.
Within the “BRSM-Nafta” network itself, Melnichuk said, eight hits have been recorded.
At the same time, he is convinced that such tactics cannot affect the Ukrainian army’s fuel supply.
“Military vehicles are not refueled at civilian gas stations. The army operates through field fuel depots, fuel tankers, and military supply bases. The civilian retail network has nothing to do with this. Destroying gas stations does not deprive the army of a single liter of fuel,” he emphasized.
According to the fuel company representative, even if individual gas stations are damaged, the market quickly reorganizes its logistics through wholesale deliveries, mobile fuel dispensing points, and the redistribution of resources between regions.
Melnichuk also noted that, unlike in the temporarily occupied Crimea, where logistics could be significantly complicated due to the limited number of transportation routes, Ukraine has an extensive transportation network with a large number of fuel delivery routes.
“If a gas station closes, fuel is immediately dispensed directly to consumers from tanker trucks. It is physically impossible to track thousands of vehicles traveling along thousands of routes,” he explained.
According to the marketing director of “BRSM-Nafta,” such attacks primarily result in the destruction of civilian infrastructure and pose a threat to the civilian population, while having no significant impact on the fuel supply system for the Defense Forces.
As reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", Ukrainian gas stations are reorganizing their operations following enemy attacks.
