Russian forces have intensified attacks on Ukrainian gas stations, targeting nearly 250 locations since April in what officials and analysts describe as a deliberate campaign of retaliation. The strikes follow Ukraine’s long-range assaults on Russian oil refineries, which Kyiv says aim to reduce Moscow’s war revenues and pressure the Kremlin to halt hostilities.

The attacks on Ukrainian gas stations have primarily occurred in regions near active conflict zones but have also extended to areas farther from front lines. According to data from the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data project, 194 of the strikes were recorded between June and July 27 alone. The southern city of Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Izium, and Dnipropetrovsk regions have been among those affected, with several attacks resulting in civilian casualties, including the deaths of drivers and gas station employees.

Although Ukraine’s strikes on Russian refineries have caused fuel shortages within Russia, experts argue that targeting civilian gas stations in Ukraine serves a different purpose. Serhii Beskristsnov, a former adviser to Ukraine’s defense minister, said the strikes on fuel stations do not significantly impact military fuel supplies but rather aim to terrorize the civilian population. Unlike Russian refineries, which tend to be state-owned or operated by large companies, many Ukrainian gas stations are independent businesses frequented daily by civilians, including soldiers and support personnel.

The gas stations have traditionally played a unique social role in Ukraine, offering rest stops with amenities like hot dogs and clean restrooms for travelers navigating a country with closed airspace amidst ongoing conflicts. Near front lines, these stations have provided a place of respite for soldiers and civilians alike. However, the recent wave of attacks has changed public behavior significantly. Drivers increasingly minimize time spent at stations, forgoing convenience stores and bathroom breaks, often starting the pump and retreating quickly from the site. Some station employees have resorted to taking breaks at a distance to reduce risk.

Many gas stations show visible signs of damage, including shrapnel scars, scorch marks, or destruction, with some reduced to burned-out remains. In certain areas, stations have implemented new safety measures. For example, anti-drone netting has been installed in parts of Donetsk, and mobile fueling points have been set up in cities like Trostianets, where all local stations were destroyed.

The Ukrainian fuel retail chain WOG has reported heavy losses and adjusted its operational procedures near front-line areas. These include closing stations overnight, turning off exterior lights to avoid drawing attention, suspending fueling during air raid alerts, and advising customers not to park vehicles near the stations.

While Russian state media present the attacks as efforts to disrupt Ukrainian military logistics, Ukrainian officials and industry representatives emphasize the psychological impact on civilians. The Oil and Gas Association of Ukraine described the campaign as an attempt to exert social pressure, although, unlike in Russia, these strikes have so far not caused fuel shortages or price spikes within Ukraine. Andrei Pivovarsky, CEO of WOG, noted the contrast, saying that whereas fuel shortages have prompted long queues in Russia, Ukrainian stations remain largely empty, with customers fueling their vehicles as quickly as possible before leaving.

The Russian Defense Ministry has publicly acknowledged the gas station strikes, highlighting drone attacks on stations it claims are used by Ukrainian troops. Pro-Russian channels have suggested the campaign is accelerating, indicating that attacks on Ukrainian fuel infrastructure will likely continue in coming months.