Ukraine Sets Monthly Record for Strikes on Russia’s Energy Infrastructure
Ukraine sharply intensified attacks on Russian energy assets in December, hitting more targets across a wider range of facilities than in any previous month.
The Gaze informs about it, referring to Bloomberg.
At least 24 strikes were carried out during the month against Russian oil refineries, oil tankers, offshore installations, and major pipeline infrastructure. The escalation marks the most extensive campaign yet aimed at disrupting Russia’s energy sector, a cornerstone of its wartime finances.
The renewed wave of attacks is adding pressure to Russian exports already constrained by international sanctions on leading oil producers. While Russia continues to ship significant volumes of crude, the inflow of petrodollars has weakened. Russian authorities now expect oil and gas revenues to fall to just 23% of total budget income this year – the lowest share on record.
Ukrainian forces have been particularly active at sea. Ukrainian forces repeatedly struck offshore oil and gas fields operated by Lukoil PJSC in the Caspian Sea, targeted Black Sea ports in Taman and Rostov – setting several tankers ablaze, and continued attacks on vessels linked to Russia’s so-called “shadow fleet.”
Strikes also continued inland. According to Ukraine’s General Staff, Ukrainian forces for the first time used Storm Shadow air-launched cruise missiles to hit the Novoshakhtinsk oil refinery in Russia’s Rostov region, a facility involved in supplying fuel to Russian forces.
Russia, meanwhile, has maintained regular attacks on Ukraine’s energy and civilian infrastructure, leaving thousands without electricity, water, and heating during freezing winter conditions.
As The Gaze reported earlier, Ukrainian security forces have for the first time disrupted Russia’s oil production in the Caspian Sea, hitting a major offshore platform operated by Lukoil.
Read more on The Gaze: Why Ukraine Should be Allowed to Attack Russian Oil Refineries – Benefits for the US and EU