In the ongoing tussle between Russia and Ukraine, Russian drones have now hit gas transport system in Ukraine’s southern Odesa region, as per a Reuters report. This area has several pipelines carrying U.S. liquefied natural gas to Ukraine from Greece.
Mykola Kolisnyk, deputy energy minister, did not delineate what was hit. Data from the Ukrainian gas transit operator showed planned volumes on the Transbalkan route were still unchanged and did not showcase any change.
Russia has increased both the number and intensity of attacks on Ukrainian gas and energy infrastructure in the recent months; it has been targeting both gas production facilities and transmission systems. The constant attacks have made restrictions on power usage necessary. Ukrainians in many regions have suffered rolling blackouts and emergency power cuts for weeks this winter. Power was out simultaneously for roughly half of the residents in the Capital on Kyiv on Tuesday.
Ukraines fuel supply impacted
Ukraine’s energy sector is based on nuclear power plants, but it also runs on gas to produce electricity and heat. On Wednesday, 2.16 million cubic meters of gas was declared for transport on the Transbalkan route, used for LNG deliveries, compared to the 2.18 million on Tuesday.
Russia’s strikes on gas production have deprived Ukraine of more than half of its production volumes and forced it further to seek additional imports of over 4 billion cubic meters for the current winter season.
Restrcitions on electricity usage
For weeks, citizens in three regions have already been facing rolling blackouts and emergency power cuts. Power was out simultaneously for roughly half of the residents in the capital of Kyiv. Ukraine has introduced more restrictions on power usage and will allow additional energy imports as it struggles to repair infrastructure shattered in Russian strikes, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko said on Tuesday.
“Additional lighting for buildings, streets, parks, decorative garlands, and outdoor advertising in city centers are not a priority during this difficult period for the energy sector,” Svyrydenko said on X, announcing new measures to improve the situation for civilian consumers.
