Russia Keeps Up Strikes — Kyiv Forced to Seek Billions for Gas

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On October 19-20, Russian forces carried out a series of strikes targeting Ukrainian energy and transportation infrastructure. A key target was also the maritime oil terminal “Yuzhny” in the Odesa region.

Due to the intensification of Russian strikes on gas infrastructure and extraction fields since the beginning of October, Ukraine intends to import significant volumes of gas to offset the resulting loss of domestic gas production.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky highlighted an urgent need for funding to purchase gas for the upcoming winter, estimating the requirement at $2 billion. He pointed to potential supplies from Greece, Slovakia, Azerbaijan, as well as agreements on liquefied natural gas (LNG) deliveries from the United States.

“We expect that in this very difficult situation, Ukraine must be prepared to secure $2 billion worth of gas. We have found part of the funding: Norway [will provide] a $100 million grant and will allocate another tranche in January. Several other countries are also providing relevant grants,” Zelensky stated.

He expressed confidence that the Cabinet of Ministers would find the remaining half of the required sum. However, energy expert Yuriy Korolchuk expressed doubts about the availability of these funds and the feasibility of delivering the necessary volume of gas.

“The money for gas that the president is talking about – one would like to see and touch it. The EBRD, the World Bank, Norway, which Zelenskyy mentioned, they allocate funds in small tranches – 100-150 million euros per quarter. Winter will also have its say because we don’t know how cold it will be. It might turn out that the money is there, but the gas is not,” Korolchuk said.

Details of the Strikes on Ukraine

According to Ukrainian sources, the Russian Armed Forces employed three “Iskander-M” missiles and 60 attack drones in assaults on various regions.

Odesa Region: The strike targeted infrastructure of the “Yuzhny” Maritime Oil Terminal, connected to the “Odesa-Brody” main oil pipeline. The damage to key pumping and diagnostic units temporarily paralyzed the pipeline’s operation.

Chernihiv Region: Strikes hit high-voltage substations in Koriukivka, Borzna, and Pamyatne. Damage to transformers, power lines, and cooling systems led to electricity outages for tens of thousands of households. A railway section and a locomotive were also damaged near Nizhyn, exacerbating transport disruptions.

Dnipropetrovsk Region: In Pavlohrad, strikes targeted the production site of the Pavlohrad Mechanical Plant, which fulfilled orders for missile systems and armored vehicles. The attack caused destruction of buildings and equipment, including CNC lathes and milling machines, and triggered a fire with the detonation of lubricants, halting production temporarily. The “Pavlohradska” Central Processing Plant, owned by DTEK, was also hit.

In Pokrovskoye, a strike hit a facility on the territory of a local ATB. In Kramatorsk, the attack was directed at a temporary deployment area of a unit from the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade, resulting in personnel losses and the destruction of equipment.

Strikes on Russia

Meanwhile, Russian air defense systems reportedly destroyed 7 Ukrainian UAVs overnight: 3 over Crimea, 2 over Bryansk Region, and one each over Lipetsk and Ulyanovsk Regions. An “alert regime” was in effect in Voronezh, Penza, and Samara Regions. In Ulyanovsk Regions, an attack on a substation was prevented.

Against the backdrop of mutual strikes, the outcomes of the recent meeting between Volodymyr Zelensky and Donald Trump continue to be discussed. Trump denied allegations that he urged Zelensky to cede Donbas, clarifying that the discussion was about a ceasefire along the front lines. Zelensky himself confirmed that such a proposal came not from Trump, but from his advisor, Whitkoff.

European officials likely learned about the details of the Washington meeting from Zelensky himself and are giving Trump a sharply negative assessment, which is linked to their disappointment in the absence of a tough U.S. stance against Russia. Zelensky and his European partners are expressing dissatisfaction that Trump appears inclined to gradually reduce military support for Ukraine, shifting towards commercial financing and attempting to avoid escalation with Moscow. This is causing serious concerns in Kyiv – both regarding a potential shortage of funds in Europe to support military needs and in connection with possible pressure from Trump on Ukraine to make political concessions.

MORE ON THE TOPIC:

• Beyond the Front Lines: How Ukraine’s Training System Challenges Mobilized Soldiers
• Mutual Strikes by Ukraine and Russia: Can the Budapest Negotiations Change the Situation?
• Russian Army Is About To Trap Kiev Forces In Liman (Videos)

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