Russia Launches Massive Drone and Missile Attack on Ukraine's Critical Gas Infrastructure

Targets in the central Vinnytsia and Poltava regions came under attack in Russia's overnight offensive. (File)

Russia launched a massive assault consisting of over 300 drones and 37 missiles targeting Ukraine's infrastructure during Thursday night operations, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy.

The attack focused on critical infrastructure across multiple regions, including central Vinnytsia and Poltava, as well as northeastern Sumy and Kharkiv territories.

"This autumn, Russians are utilizing every day to conduct strikes against our energy infrastructure," Zelenskiy stated on his X platform account.

As the conflict enters its fourth year, Russia has systematically targeted Ukraine's energy and power facilities during consecutive winter seasons, initially focusing on electricity networks but now increasingly shifting attention to gas infrastructure.

Naftogaz CEO Sergii Koretskyi reported that six major attacks on gas facilities occurred this month alone. The recent strikes damaged installations across several regions, forcing some operations to cease completely.

"These attacks directly impact our domestic gas production volumes, which we must now compensate through imports," explained Koretskyi.

Ukraine's financially constrained government is currently negotiating with international partners to secure funding for additional gas imports ahead of the colder autumn and winter months.

Ukraine's air force confirmed direct hits from 14 missiles and 37 drones across 14 locations during the overnight barrage, while successfully intercepting 283 drones and 5 missiles.

The ongoing Russian drone strikes have resulted in significant power outages, prompting Ukraine to restrict electricity supply to industrial consumers on Thursday.

In response, Kyiv has intensified its own offensive operations against Russian oil refineries in border regions and beyond.

President Zelenskiy, scheduled to meet with President Donald Trump on Friday during his United States visit, renewed his appeal for enhanced long-range military capabilities.

"Putin has become deaf to everything the world says, so pressure remains the only language he might still understand," Zelenskiy remarked.

"This is precisely what I will be discussing today and tomorrow during my meetings in Washington."

Moscow has not issued any statement regarding the overnight attacks on Ukrainian territory.