Russia targets Ukrainian gas stations in drone campaign

Russia has launched a targeted campaign against fuel infrastructure in Ukraine, specifically striking gas stations with drones. According to data from the Ukrainian organization ‘Petroleum Market’, Russia has hit 246 commercial gas stations in the country since April, with 114 of those strikes occurring in July alone.

National Bank data indicates that approximately 4 percent of Ukraine’s gas stations have been hit. The attacks have evolved from using smaller drones to larger, more lethal ‘Geran’ drones, which are based on the Iranian Shahed model. In some instances, a single station has been targeted by up to five drones.

The strikes have caused significant logistical disruptions, particularly in border regions. Key routes, such as the road between Kharkiv and Dnipro, now lack available refueling points. In some areas, such as parts of the Kherson region, nearly half of the gas stations have closed permanently due to safety risks to staff and customers. To mitigate these threats, some major fuel chains are installing concrete shelters at service points and deploying specialized drone protection nets.