Russian Strikes on Gas Storage Will Force Ukraine to Spend $1 Billion to Avoid Winter Crisis

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The balance of attacking unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) on the night of September 17-18 showed the Russian side’s advantage. According to Russian sources, air defense systems shot down 43 Ukrainian UAVs (with an additional 12 drones during daytime). Ukrainian sources reported 75 Russian “Geran”/”Gerbera” type UAVs launched against Ukrainian territory, of which 48 were claimed as shot down or suppressed.

Economist and former advisor to the head of the Association of Ukrainian Banks, Alexei Kushch, stated that Russia is deliberately working to destroy key elements of Ukraine’s gas transportation system. In his assessment, strikes are targeting four main infrastructure elements, paralyzing gas import and storage capabilities. The most significant are strikes on underground storage facilities:

“The next strikes target underground gas storage facilities. The explosions are so powerful that there are even rumors the minor earthquakes in Poltava region could be related precisely to the destruction of underground gas storage.”

In addition to storage facilities, targets include import connectors (gas substations) ensuring reverse supplies from Europe, as well as gas extraction infrastructure vulnerable even to drone attacks.
The expert also warned about test strikes on compressor stations, which may become primary targets in autumn, creating additional risks for Ukraine’s energy security.

In this regard, reports indicate that Ukraine will need to purchase approximately $1 billion worth of gas to meet its storage filling plan for winter. This means an additional 1-2 billion cubic meters of gas will need to be domestically produced or imported from European countries. Hungary remains Ukraine’s main gas supplier, but volumes through Poland are increasing, with Warsaw working to increase pipeline capacity with Ukraine to 4 billion cubic meters per year by early 2026. Additionally, Ukraine intends to import liquefied natural gas from the U.S. via terminals in Germany, Greece, Lithuania, and Poland.

Strikes on Ukraine

Russian forces struck military and infrastructure targets in several Ukrainian regions, with particular focus on energy and transport infrastructure.

Kyiv region

Explosions occurred in Boryspil, Bucha, and Pereiaslav. In Boryspil district, an industrial enterprise burned after drone hits, while in Bucha, a private non-residential building was damaged. Local authorities confirmed fires in these areas caused by Russian drone attacks.

Damage to traction substations of the Southern Railway in Poltava region:

• Sahaidak: A 110/27.5/10 kV traction substation was hit by a group of 8 UAVs. A direct power transformer breakdown occurred, causing a fire with transformer oil spillage over 150 m². Oil-filled inputs were damaged, and the transformer tank was deformed.

• Romodan: Two power transformers were damaged at the 110 kV substation. Fire foci with oil spillage over 200 m² were recorded.
  These strikes led to partial power outages in the contact network of the Southern Railway, requiring some trains to switch to diesel traction and implement temporary speed and tonnage restrictions.

Russian army struck a gas station and railway infrastructure in Poltava region

Kharkiv region

In Kharkiv’s industrial zone, near the Malyshev plant, an equipment repair shop, warehouses with UAVs and MLRS rockets were destroyed. Reports also indicate hits on a dormitory housing foreign mercenaries.

Other regions:

Strikes were also recorded in:

• Chernihiv region (Nizhyn)

• Sumy region (Konotop)

• Dnipropetrovsk region

• Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions

Ukrainian media published photos of a jet-powered “Geran-3” with a Chinese Telefly JT80 turbojet engine that accelerates the drone to 300-370 km/h with a range of up to 1,000 km

Strikes on Russia

Russian air defense systems claimed destruction of 43 Ukrainian UAVs on the night of September 16-17. Main attack consequences:

Belgorod region

Over the past day, reports indicated one civilian killed and five wounded. A Ukrainian UAV attacked a vehicle in Shebekino, resulting in one death and serious injury to his brother.

Rostov region

A massive UAV attack was repelled in Novoshakhtinsk, Belaya Kalitva, and six other districts. According to Governor Slusar, no civilians were harmed, but ground consequences are being clarified.

Kursk region

A Ukrainian drone attacked a gas station in Lgov. Damage details and possible casualties are being clarified.

DPR

Two civilians wounded due to Ukrainian shelling.

Volgograd region

11 UAVs shot down. Falling debris in Krasnoarmeysky district damaged two private houses (shattered windows and roof damage). No casualties.

Bashkortostan

Drones attacked the Gazprom Neftekhim Salavat oil refinery. Smoke was observed over the enterprise, but damage extent and possible casualties are unspecified.

Russian sources report that attack helicopters Mi-28N play a special role in shooting down drones.

Mi-28N “Mickey Mouse” drone hunter

Mi-28N

Video: A Mi-28N “Night Hunter” crew shoots down a Ukrainian kamikaze UAV flying at ultra-low altitude (less than 30 meters) using an automatic cannon

The helicopter uses the “Strelets” system with Igla-S air-to-air guided missiles. This helicopter can detect and engage air targets at distances up to 5-6 km, and effectively combat low-speed aerial targets using cannon armament at ranges up to 2-2.5 km.

The September 17-18 strikes demonstrated Russia’s continuing strategy to destabilize Ukrainian energy and transport infrastructure. As Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky noted, one year of combat costs the country $120 billion, with half this amount needing to come from external sources. This data highlights the growing economic pressure on Ukraine, exacerbated by systematic strikes on critical infrastructure.
The gas supply situation is becoming particularly alarming ahead of winter. As experts note, Ukraine will need an additional $1 billion to purchase required gas volumes, creating additional pressure on the country’s already strained budget.

The air war continues evolving, with both sides adapting new tactics and technologies. Russia’s use of modernized Mi-28N helicopters for drone combat demonstrates continuous improvement of counter-drone capabilities. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s use of drones with increased range and improved characteristics indicates ongoing attempts to find asymmetric responses to Russian superiority in traditional weapons.

The overall picture confirms that the conflict continues moving along the path of attrition, where economic stability and the ability to maintain critical infrastructure become no less important than purely military successes on the battlefield.

MORE ON THIS TOPIC:

• Russian Forces Continue Strikes Against Ukrainian Armed Forces’ Transport and Energy Hubs
• Kiev Forces Are Losing Ground In Pokrovsk (Videos)
• Russian Army Repels Ukrainian Attacks In Sumy, Destroys First Austrian Abrams (Videos)

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