About 80% of gas stations attacked by Russia resume operations - expert

About 80% of Ukrainian gas stations that were hit by Russian strikes eventually resume operations. Despite damage to hundreds of stations, the attacks have so far caused neither fuel shortages in the regions nor price increases directly due to the loss of fuel retail infrastructure.

This was stated by Serhiy Kuyun, director of the A-95 Consulting Group, commenting on new Russian drone strikes on gas stations in Kyiv.

According to his estimate, after Russian attacks, approximately 80% of damaged stations are restored. Therefore, even the large number of strikes has not yet led to a physical shortage of fueling points that could significantly affect fuel supply to the regions.

"Accordingly, there is definitely no reason to talk about any impact of these attacks on the market", - noted Kuyun.

Over six months, Russia damaged or destroyed more than 300 gas stations

The scale of attacks on fuel retail infrastructure remains significant.

First Deputy Prime Minister - Minister of Energy Denys Shmyhal reported in the Verkhovna Rada on August 21 that over the previous six months alone, Russian strikes damaged or destroyed more than 300 Ukrainian gas stations.

Shmyhal then called fuel station networks actually part of critical infrastructure, as they provide fuel to the population and the economy. According to him, the government coordinates actions with gas station operators weekly and discusses with business, in particular, mechanisms for war risk insurance.

At the same time, the large number of damaged facilities does not mean that all of them are permanently out of the market. It is the rapid restoration, according to Kuyun's assessment, that allows networks to compensate for losses and maintain sufficient density of fueling infrastructure.

About 800 licensed gas stations operate in Kyiv and the region

Using the capital region as an example, the expert also draws attention to the significant buffer of infrastructure itself.

According to data from the State Tax Service cited by Kuyun, there are currently 270 licenses for retail fuel trade in Kyiv, and another 529 in Kyiv Oblast. Together, that is about 800 licensed facilities.

Therefore, the loss of even several stations, while causing losses to specific companies, cannot by itself create a fuel shortage in the capital region.

Kuyun emphasizes that Russian strikes on gas stations primarily pose a threat to people, not to the stability of the fuel market.

Fuel station networks begin to build shelters

Amid the increasing number of attacks, gas station operators are adapting infrastructure primarily to protect employees and customers.

According to Kuyun, in front-line regions, some stations are already installing protective nets and metal structures against FPV drones and other small unmanned aerial vehicles. However, such solutions cannot protect the facility from a direct hit by a heavy attack drone like Shahed.

Therefore, more and more networks are installing mobile shelters near stations. Kuyun cited as an example a new temporary shelter at the OKKO fuel station on the Odesa highway, as well as similar structures at UPG stations on the Ring Road and AMIC in Vorzel. In front-line regions, such shelters are already being installed by the dozens.

The expert expects that after the latest attacks, they will start appearing en masse at capital gas stations.

Two days of attacks on three UKRNAFTA fuel stations in Kyiv

Kuyun's statement came after a new series of Russian strikes on the capital's fuel infrastructure.

On September 10-11, Russian jet drones attacked three UKRNAFTA fuel complexes in Kyiv. During the September 11 attack, drones struck two fuel stations on the right and left banks, with one target being struck twice.

As a result of the morning attack on September 11, six people were injured. Later, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that two of the wounded died in hospitals, while four remained hospitalized.

UKRNAFTA reported serious destruction of capital buildings and critical damage to equipment at the attacked facilities. At the same time, after the air raid alert, employees and customers left the fuel station premises.

Kuyun also drew attention to a list of 18 Kyiv gas stations that was circulated on social media the day before, supposedly potential targets for attacks: according to his observations, over two days the strikes hit three objects from this list. However, the origin and authenticity of the document are not officially confirmed, so it is currently impossible to draw a conclusion about its authenticity.

Source: Serhiy Kuyun, Vitali Klitschko, UKRNAFTA