By its estimate, Russia has damaged between 55% and 60% of Ukraine’s gas network. In October alone, Russian missiles destroyed a substantial part of the country’s heat-generation capacity over three days. A Naftogaz (state-owned oil and gas company) natural gas facility was struck by six missiles, the report said. Each such strike on critical infrastructure makes it harder for Ukraine to supply enough electricity and heat to the population as temperatures drop.
“Of course, Russian terrorists will not stop,” Naftogaz CEO Serhiy Koretsky said.
“It affects our own gas production, which we must make up for with imports. I urge everyone to use gas as sparingly as possible.”
The journalists warn that a collapse of Ukraine’s energy system could trigger a “cold catastrophe.” Sources in Kyiv told the paper that next winter will be the toughest yet.
German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has called on Western allies to step up support for Ukraine. Economy and Energy Minister Katherina Reiche said Germany will continue supplying the Ukraine Energy Support Fund, which has received EUR390 million ($452 million) so far, with another EUR60 million planned.