Ukrainian gas infrastructure targeted in latest Russian attack: Zelensky

Ukrainian gas infrastructure was targeted in the latest Russian missile and drone attack Jan. 15, but Ukraine was able to maintain the "functionality" of its energy system thanks to its air defenses, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said.

In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Zelensky said Ukraine had suffered "another massive Russian attack" overnight in the middle of winter.

"The target for the Russians remains unchanged -- our energy infrastructure. Among their objectives were gas and energy facilities that sustain normal life for our people," he said.

Over 40 missiles were launched in the attack, including ballistic missiles, while more than 70 Russian attack drones were also launched overnight.

"Thanks to our air defense forces and all involved units, we've managed to maintain the functionality of our energy system," Zelensky said.

Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal also said Jan. 15 that thanks to Ukraine's air defenses, the attack had "failed".

"The enemy targeted gas infrastructure and facilities that ensure people's normal lives," Shmyhal said.

Transit halt

The attack comes after Ukraine halted the transit of Russian gas via its territory on Jan. 1.

Ukraine's trunk gas pipeline network continued to carry Russian gas until the end of 2024 despite the Russian invasion that started in February 2022.

Ukraine has also managed to maintain operations at its critical gas infrastructure despite the ongoing war and barrage of missile and drone attacks.

Ukraine's gas production rose further in 2024 to 19.1 Bcm, gas industry association AGPU said earlier this month.

"The full-scale war was and remains one of the biggest challenges. However, the industry survived, and we were able to increase production volumes," AGPU Executive Director Artem Petrenko said.

The 19.1 Bcm production volume last year was higher than the 2023 output of 18.7 Bcm, which itself was up from 18.5 Bcm in 2022.

AGPU said that the upstream arms of state-owned Naftogaz -- UkrGazVydobuvannya and UkrNafta -- increased output last year, while private companies also boosted production in the last five months of 2024 by 25%.

Naftogaz priority

In a statement Jan. 14, Naftogaz said its main tasks were to ensure the country's energy stability and to get through the heating season.

"The third heating season is taking place under the conditions of a full-scale Russian invasion and massive enemy attacks on energy facilities," it said.

"But despite all the challenges, the companies of the Naftogaz Group are operating as usual, ensuring production, storage, and supply of gas to all categories of consumers."