Russia’s new target: Ukrainian civilians filling up at gas stations

Key Points:

• Russian forces have targeted over 200 gas stations in Ukraine during June and July, averaging about three attacks per day, aiming to intimidate civilians and disrupt daily life near front lines and major cities like Kyiv.
• These strikes, involving drones and air attacks, have caused casualties and significant damage, with cities like Zaporizhzhia experiencing dozens of hits that officials label as deliberate terrorism against civilian infrastructure.
• Fuel stations serve as critical refuges for evacuees, soldiers, and drivers in Ukraine, providing warmth, fuel, and supplies, making them strategic targets for Russia’s campaign to sow fear and chaos.
• The attacks coincide with heightened tensions and warnings of possible Russian escalation in response to Ukraine’s long-range drone strikes on Russian industrial sites, reflecting a broader pattern of targeting civilian infrastructure.
• Despite the risks, many Ukrainians continue to use gas stations, showing resilience amid the conflict, while Russia publicizes the strikes to demonstrate its ability to disrupt Ukraine’s fuel supply and compare it to fuel shortages within Russia.