Ukraine Strikes Russia’s Energy Sector – Aftermath Visible from Space

Ukraine intensifies strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure.

In recent months, Kyiv has ramped up drone and missile attacks on Russian oil refineries, pumping stations, and substations.

Satellite images, including those from ViewsFromAbove, show large-scale fires and damage to equipment at several infrastructure sites.

According to information from several Western media outlets, Ukrainian operations targeting Russia’s energy resources involve the intelligence services of partners.

In particular, Financial Times and other outlets have reported on the coordination and exchange of intelligence data, which have enabled more powerful strikes ‘deep within Russian territory.’

In September and October, Kyiv reported successful strikes on large oil refineries, including those in Kirish, Orysk, and Ufa.

The results included fires, damage to technological lines, and a temporary reduction in refining capacities.

At the same time, this creates logistical and production problems for Russia’s oil industry and impacts revenues that fund military operations in Ukraine.

The pressure of sanctions is also increasing, making it difficult to quickly replace damaged components.

As a result, there has been a noticeable reduction in fuel availability in several regions of Russia: local authorities have already imposed fuel sale limits, including in annexed Crimea, up to several liters per buyer.

At the same time, Ukraine itself is regularly subjected to attacks on its energy infrastructure: missile and drone strikes by Russia leave cities without electricity and heat, damage gas infrastructure, and create severe difficulties ahead of winter.

‘Kyiv’s strategy is to deliver painful blows to the enemy’s resource base while simultaneously protecting its own infrastructure,’ analysts note.

However, they add that this approach increases pressure on Russia’s economic resources, but is accompanied by the risks of escalation and significant costs for Ukraine.

As previously reported, Ukrainian drones targeted the Arzamas electricity substation, one of the key energy hubs in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region.