Russia targets gas infrastructure in Odesa region with drone strike

On the night of September 6, Russia launched a drone attack on a gas distribution facility in the Odesa region, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.

"Hundreds of families were left without gas. This was a deliberate and cynical attempt to disrupt our preparations for the heating season — just like every Russian strike on our energy infrastructure," Zelenskyy said via his official Telegram channel.

According to Oleh Kiper, head of the Odesa Regional Gas Distribution Company, emergency crews are currently working to release gas from the damaged system.

"Despite the active work of our air defense forces, the gas infrastructure sustained damage. A fire broke out at the site and was extinguished by our firefighters at 07:25. Production equipment was destroyed, and as a result of the damage to the main pipeline, 2,500 consumers were temporarily cut off. Response efforts are ongoing," Kiper said in an official statement.

The Trans-Balkan Corridor, which runs through the Odesa region, enables Ukraine to import non-Russian gas.

In July 2025, Ukraine began purchasing natural gas from Azerbaijan for the first time. According to Serhiy Makogon, former head of the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTSOU), the pilot shipment amounted to 70 million cubic meters.

The Trans-Balkan Corridor connects Ukraine with Greece (or, in the case of Azerbaijani gas, Turkey) via Bulgaria, Romania, and Moldova. So far, however, it has seen limited use. At the August capacity auction, only 20% of the guaranteed volumes were booked by traders.

• In March 2025, hostilities in Russia’s Kursk region led to a fire at the Suja gas metering station.