Russian strikes on Ukraine's gas hub signal new tensions
The Russian military attacked the most extensive underground gas storage facilities in the Lviv region. The timing and location of the attack are not coincidental. Ukraine had sought Poland's assistance to protect these installations. A strike occurring the day after President Zelensky's visit is a clear signal.
Russian forces carried out an attack on the gas infrastructure in the city of Stryi in the Lviv region. According to "Kommersant," the target was Ukraine's largest underground gas storage facility.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claims that the attack on Ukrainian gas infrastructure was in response to recent missile strikes utilizing ATACMS and Storm Shadow systems on Russian energy facilities, including a compressor station in Kuban.
Russian attacks on energy facilities undermine Ukraine’s ability to function under challenging conditions, particularly during the heating season.
Previously, Ukraine asked Poland for assistance in protecting facilities in the Stryi region. Thus, the attack following President Volodymyr Zelensky's visit to Warsaw can be seen as an attempt to undermine Kyiv-Warsaw relations.
The storage facilities in Stryi are the largest complex in Europe, capable of holding 600 billion cubic feet of gas, making it a crucial hub. In comparison, the total capacity of all Polish PGNiG storage is just over 117 billion cubic feet, significantly smaller than the facilities in the Lviv region.
Within a radius of just 62 miles, there are Polish storage facilities and a gas network. Also significant is that late last year, Ukrainian Deputy Energy Minister Nikolay Kolesnyk proposed a joint project with Poland, which could make Europe independent of Russian resources.
The combination of Ukrainian underground gas storage and Polish maritime infrastructure, which allows for the reception of liquefied LNG gas, could serve as the foundation for creating an Eastern European hub.
Strikes deep into Russia
Ukrainian retaliatory attacks on Russian infrastructure are a response to Russia's shelling of Ukraine's critical resources. These actions demonstrate Kyiv's determination to respond to Russian threats.
In addition to military actions, Russia faces significant repercussions on the economic front due to targeted attacks on its gas and oil infrastructure.
Though symbolic, the attack on the Ust-Luga port exposed the vulnerability of key export points, which could threaten Russia's economic stability if such actions increase.
