Ukrnafta reinforces petrol stations with sand-filled barriers amid Russian strikes

Russian forces have escalated their targeting of Ukraine's fuel infrastructure, moving from frontline stations to major urban centres like Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv. In reaction, Ukrnafta, the state-owned oil firm, is rapidly deploying sand-filled wire-mesh blast barriers and constructing concrete shelters at its stations. Lesya Zharska, who oversees the station network, noted that operations are halted during air alarms and customers are escorted away while staff take shelter.

Despite recent attacks on at least six stations in Kyiv and over 300 nationwide in the past six months, Ukrnafta asserts it can repair damage within days. The firm has also equipped sites with backup diesel generators and arranged sufficient fuel imports to meet an expected 10-15% rise in winter demand, aiming to prevent supply gaps.