Ukraine tests automatic warning system for gas stations amid Russian attacks

Koretskyi announced the initiative following a meeting with fuel market operators and representatives of government agencies.

Officials from the Energy, Economy, Finance and Infrastructure ministries, the National Security and Defense Council, State Emergency Service and Interior Ministry took part in the meeting.

Participants discussed installing additional protective structures around above-ground infrastructure and providing shelters for personnel and customers.

A software system currently being tested will track the direction of approaching drones and allow facilities to respond to threats in advance, Koretskyi said.

The system is expected to automatically alert gas station complexes when hostile drones are approaching.

If the testing at gas stations is successful, the technology will be expanded to other businesses. Ministers were instructed to accelerate the process.

Officials also reviewed Ukraine’s fuel balance, logistics and prices.

Global oil prices are rising again because of developments in the Middle East and disruptions to supply chains, affecting the Ukrainian market as well, Koretskyi said.

The meeting also produced an action plan for rail shipments and simplifying customs procedures for fuel tanker trucks, modeled on measures introduced in 2022.

Russian attacks increasingly target warehouses and gas stations

Russian forces have stepped up attacks on warehouse and logistics infrastructure belonging to Ukrainian retail chains.

Distribution centers operated by Silpo, Fora, NOVUS and VARUS, as well as warehouse facilities belonging to ATB and Metro, have already been hit.

A Russian drone struck an Ukrnafta gas station in Kyiv’s Holosiivskyi district on Sept. 10, sparking a fire and injuring four people.

Russian drones struck Ukrnafta gas stations in Kyiv’s Dniprovskyi and Obolonskyi districts on Sept. 11.

Two people were killed and eight injured in the attacks, with six of the injured hospitalized, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said.

Russian forces also struck a gas station in Rivne Oblast on the morning of Sept. 12.