---
title: "New Front of War: Russia Launches Hundreds of Strikes on Ukrainian Gas Stations to Instill Fear"
description: "Russia has sharply increased attacks on Ukrainian gas stations: nearly 250 strikes recorded in two months. Experts and Ukrainian officials believe the goal is to intimidate civilians, not disrupt military supply. Tragedies have already occurred: three people, including a child, died near Kryvyi Rih. ⛽💥🇺🇦"
date: 2026-08-04T20:04:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/russia-attacks-ukraine-gas-stations-psychological-warfare-en
tags: [ukraine, russia, gas-stations, beskrestnov, nytimes]
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# New Front of War: Russia Launches Hundreds of Strikes on Ukrainian Gas Stations to Instill Fear

![Firefighter extinguishing a blaze at a gas station, illuminated by bright flames — symbol of new Russian attacks on Ukrainian fuel stations](https://xab.info/media/2026/08/04/russia-attacks-ukraine-gas-stations-psychological-warfare/russia-attacks-ukraine-gas-stations-psychological-warfare-1.webp)

The nature of Russia's aggression against Ukraine has undergone significant changes. While energy infrastructure was previously the primary target for missiles and drones, in recent months, civilian objects critical to the daily lives of the population — gas stations — have come under fire. According to the Armed Conflict Location & Event Data (ACLED) organization, at least 246 strikes on gas stations have been recorded since the beginning of April, with the overwhelming majority — 194 attacks — occurring during a short period from early June to July 27.

### Psychological Warfare Against Civilians

Experts and Ukrainian officials agree: mass strikes on fuel facilities aim not so much to disrupt military logistics as to demoralize the population. President of Ukraine's advisor on technological defense issues, Serhiy Besskrystnov (Flash), stated directly that the sole purpose of these attacks is to intimidate civilians.

According to The New York Times, the Russian Ministry of Defense regularly publishes videos of strikes on gas stations in its daily reports, claiming that these facilities are allegedly used by Ukrainian military forces. However, Ukrainian officials emphasize: unlike industrial giants, gas stations are commercial enterprises visited daily by thousands of civilians. Statistics confirm the scale of the campaign: strikes were carried out not only in frontline zones but also in regions far from the line of combat.

### Societal Reaction and Logistical Collapse

The consequences of the attacks are already being felt at the household level. Many drivers, fearing for their lives, try to minimize their time spent at gas stations, no longer perceiving them as safe zones. Furthermore, analysts note a worrying trend: tanker drivers are increasingly refusing to work on routes deemed most dangerous due to the high probability of shelling.

Tragedies at gas stations have already become a reality. In particular, in the Shyrokyne hromada near Kryvyi Rih, a Shahed-type kamikaze drone struck a gas station, resulting in the deaths of three people, including a child. This incident became one of the most severe episodes in the series of attacks on civilian fuel infrastructure.

### Economic Context and Kyiv's Strategy

Ukrainian authorities link the escalation of strikes on gas stations to their own successful campaign targeting Russian oil refineries. Kyiv has repeatedly stated that such strikes are aimed at reducing Russia's revenues, which are used to finance the war. In response, Moscow is trying to compensate for losses by attacking civilian objects on Ukrainian territory.

Despite the scale of the campaign, The New York Times notes that strikes on gas stations have not led to a critical disruption of the country's fuel supply. Unlike the consequences of attacks on Russian refineries, which caused significant economic damage, the Ukrainian fuel system continues to function, albeit under constant psychological pressure on the population.