Russia hits Ukraine's gas network in massive attack

Russia launched its largest attack of the war against critical natural gas facilities run by Ukraine’s state-owned Naftogaz group overnight, officials said yesterday.

- JAMES C. REYNOLDS

Serhii Koretskyi, chief executive of Naftogaz, said Russia had fired 35 missiles and 60 drones at facilities of the gas and oil company in the Kharkiv and Poltava regions.

Mr Koretskyi said the attack had “no military purpose” and was “yet another act of Russian malice aimed solely at disrupting the heating season and depriving Ukrainians of warmth in winter”.

Officials accused the Kremlin of plotting to wear down the Ukrainian power grid ahead of winter.

The Russian Defence Ministry said its forces had carried out massive overnight strikes on Ukraine's gas and energy infrastructure, saying it had also attacked industrial facilities linked to the military. Russia launched a total of 381 drones and 35 missiles at Ukraine, according to Ukraine's air force. Ukraine has also targeted Russian oil refineries recently.

Attacks against Ukraine escalated as Kyiv's backers in Europe raised their own concerns about alleged Russian interference in Nato territory.

Danish intelligence warned yesterday that Russian warships have repeatedly sailed on collision courses, disrupted navigation and aimed weapons at Danish naval vessels in the Baltic Sea.