Russia has been targeting Ukraine’s gas and oil facilities nationwide for the second day in a row, according to state-owned gas conglomerate Naftogaz on Wednesday.
On Tuesday, Dec. 23, Ukraine faced another major Russian strike on its energy infrastructure ahead of Christmas, with 635 drones and 38 missiles reported.
Naftogaz said nearly 100 Russian drones targeted production facilities operated by its subsidiary, Ukrnafta.
“Critical damage was recorded as a result of the attacks. The damaged equipment was stopped from operating,” the company said in a press release, adding that repair work is soon underway.
“Rescuers and company specialists are working to eliminate the consequences of these attacks. Restoration work will begin immediately after that,” Naftogaz Chairman Serhiy Koretsky was quoted as saying.
On Tuesday, the company said “Ukrnafta’s production facilities” were struck, adding that there was “serious damage” but no casualties.
It did not specify the time and location of the attacks.
In July, Russia resumed attacks on Ukraine’s gas infrastructure, damaging Naftogaz production facilities. The strikes are part of Russia’s ongoing campaign against Ukraine’s critical infrastructure, targeting some of the country’s largest producers and enterprises.
An earlier Nov. 8 attack marked the ninth major strike on civilian gas facilities since early October, a previous Naftogaz press release said.
The attacks have disrupted gas and electricity supplies as Ukraine enters the heating season, forcing the government to increase gas imports and putting additional strain on the energy system.
The impact has so far been mitigated by a relatively warm winter in major cities, though temperatures in places like Kyiv began dipping below zero by the end of December.