Russia Strikes Ukraine's Energy Sector Ahead of Winter

Russia struck seven oil and natural gas production facilities in eastern Ukraine in a nighttime attack, the state-owned energy company Naftogaz announced.

According to its interim head, Serhiy Fedorenko, Moscow is systematically targeting Ukraine's oil and gas sector in an effort to cause as much damage as possible to the energy infrastructure before winter sets in.

The latest attack was one of the largest in recent months and targeted facilities operated by Ukrnafta, Ukraine's largest oil company and part of the Naftogaz group, the company said.

Critical equipment was damaged in the attacks, though Naftogaz did not specify the extent of the damage in its statement. It is also unclear at this stage how far the attack will affect oil and gas production itself.

Naftogaz views the attack as part of broader Russian pressure on Ukraine's energy infrastructure ahead of the winter season.

(Reuters, mja)