Naftogaz facilities in three regions came under attack
Throughout the morning and for most of the day, Russian troops launched massive attacks on the Naftogaz Group’s production facilities in the Kharkiv, Poltava, and Sumy regions. Fires broke out at several facilities, causing significant damage; however, thanks to safety measures, no employees were injured.
On Friday, July 17, Russian occupiers carried out a large-scale attack on Naftogaz Group production assets in three regions of Ukraine simultaneously. Facilities in the Kharkiv, Poltava, and Sumy regions were targeted.
According to Serhiy Fedorenko, acting chairman of the board of NJSC “Naftogaz of Ukraine,” the Russian army used various types of drones, including jet-powered ones. The attack lasted from early morning until nearly the end of the day.
Fires broke out at the facilities
The strikes caused fires to break out at several production facilities. Significant damage to buildings and production equipment was also reported. At the same time, the company emphasized that thanks to safety measures taken in advance, no casualties were reported among the staff. Employees were in shelters during the attack.
“Thanks to the safety measures taken, employees were not harmed and remain in shelters. Due to the threat of further strikes, it is currently impossible to accurately assess the extent of the damage to equipment. Operations at the facilities have been suspended,” said Serhiy Fedorenko. At this time, experts cannot fully assess the extent of the damage, as there is a risk of new attacks. Once the security situation stabilizes, experts will begin a detailed inspection of the damaged facilities.
Russia continues to target energy infrastructure
Naftogaz emphasizes that this is not a random strike but part of Russia’s systematic campaign against Ukraine’s energy sector. According to Fedorenko, the occupiers are trying to inflict maximum damage on the gas production sector to complicate the country’s preparations for the upcoming heating season and create problems with supplying the population with natural gas.
“Russia is systematically attacking oil and gas infrastructure to destroy gas production, complicate preparations for winter, and create problems during the heating season,” he emphasized. Russia carries out such strikes regularly, attempting to disable critical infrastructure and weaken Ukraine’s energy system.
Restoration work will continue
Despite the serious damage, Naftogaz assures that the company continues to work on supplying the country with gas and is carrying out all planned measures to prepare for winter. According to Serhiy Fedorenko, one of the main tasks remains building up the necessary fuel reserves, promptly restoring damaged production facilities, and implementing agreements with international partners to support Ukraine’s energy sector. “Together with the team, we have clear priorities: continuing to secure the necessary gas reserves, promptly restoring damaged facilities, implementing agreements with international partners, and maintaining the momentum that Naftogaz has built over the past year,” Fedorenko noted.
He added that the company understands all the challenges it faces and will do everything possible to ensure a stable heating season ahead. “We will make every effort to ensure the country is supplied with gas and that preparations for winter proceed smoothly, despite all the enemy’s attempts to disrupt them,” the head of Naftogaz concluded.
As a reminder, over the past 24 hours, there were 268 combat engagements on the front lines, and nine areas where Russian troops were concentrated were struck.
Over the past 24 hours, Russian forces killed three residents of the Kherson region and wounded 19 others.
