Russia’s armed forces conducted a co-ordinated strike on critical gas and energy infrastructure in Ukraine using high-precision weapons and drones, the Russian defence ministry reported on January 15. The ministry confirmed the objectives were achieved and all designated targets were struck, although specific sites were not disclosed.

Reports from Ukrainian authorities suggested damage to gas storage facilities in the Lyiv region. The head of Lyiv’s regional military administration, Maksym Kozytskyi, stated on Telegram that during an air alert from 01:35 to 02:48 on January 15, an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) was intercepted and destroyed, with no casualties or damage. Later in the morning, during another alert from 06:12 to 08:12, cruise missiles struck two critical infrastructure sites in Drohobych and Stryi districts. While there were no casualties, the attacks caused structural damage. Essential services in the region remained operational, and electricity outages were not implemented, he said.

The affected districts house significant underground gas storage facilities, including the Bilche-Volytsko-Uherske storage in Stryi, with an active capacity of 17.05bn cubic metres, the largest in Ukraine. Others include the Dashava (2.15 bcm), Oparske (1.92 bcm) and Uherske (1.9 bcm) storage facilities. Together, these facilities form part of the Western gas storage complex, the most developed cluster used for European markets. Since 2017, Ukrtransgaz, a subsidiary of Naftogaz, has operated a customs warehouse service at these storages, allowing European traders to store gas tax-free for up to three years.

Ukraine's underground gas storage network comprises 12 facilities with a total capacity of 31 bcm. According to Gas Infrastructure Europe data from January 13, 2025, these storages contained 4.34 bcm of active gas, or approximately 9 bcm including buffer gas. The volume of Ukraine's own reserves is undisclosed, but European traders are estimated to hold about 1 bcm. Owing to ongoing infrastructure damage, European traders have significantly reduced their use of Ukrainian facilities.

This latest attack is part of a series of strikes targeting Ukrainian gas infrastructure. In March 2024, Russia’s defence ministry reported strikes that included damage to the Bilche-Volytsko-Uherske facility, causing a fire and gas leak. Subsequent attacks in April and May of that year further damaged compressor stations and other infrastructure at this site. In May, it was confirmed that the Bilche-Volytska compressor station, vital for gas injection and withdrawal, had been completely destroyed.

The January 15 attack followed a drone assault by Ukrainian forces on the Russkaya compressor station, part of the TurkStream pipeline, on January 11. Although this did not disrupt gas flows, it was cited as a provocation leading to the retaliatory strikes. Russia’s defence ministry has not elaborated on the full results of the latest strikes, while Ukrainian authorities confirmed the destruction of two infrastructure sites.

Observers suggest that the Russian air force has altered its strategy, launching a sudden barrage of around 40 missiles without prior reconnaissance by drones. This shift appears to reflect an adaptation to Western air defence systems, which were reportedly prepared for such an attack.