Petrol stations in Kyiv have been hit by jet-powered drones in a wave of targeted Russian attacks, as the bombardment of Ukraine’s capital enters a new, more intense phase. At least two people were killed and 12 injured in strikes on two petrol stations on Friday morning, according to the city’s mayor, Vitali Klitschko. The rush-hour strikes follow a similar attack on a petrol station on Thursday, the first of its kind in the capital.
At the Ukrnafta petrol station in the Pochaina neighbourhood in northern Kyiv, bystanders said three people had been injured in Friday’s blast – the manager of a nearby car wash, his wife and the driver of a passing car. The blown-out vehicle was stranded by the side of the road, its windows shattered and seats spattered in blood. Witnesses said they had heard two explosions, and local authorities later said Russia had carried out a double-tap attack on the facility.
“This is probably one of the most difficult periods of the war because life is just like on a rollercoaster,” said Anastasiia Demchenko, 30, who works at a delivery company opposite the petrol station. “It feels like life is on the edge.”
All three strikes targeted petrol stations operated by Ukrnafta, a state-owned oil and natural gas extraction company. Sergiy Fedorenko, the acting head of Naftogaz, Ukrnafta’s parent company, said: “There is, and can be, no military objective behind such attacks. This is terror directed at the civilian population, at peaceful people.”
A list of 18 petrol stations in Kyiv expected to be hit by Russian drones started circulating on Telegram on Wednesday. The three struck so far were on the list. At the other station hit on Friday, in Desnianskyi district, one of the most densely populated parts of the capital, the manager of a nearby car wash said it had been a miracle that no one had died in the blast. Fedir Lesovin said the air-raid siren had given the petrol station workers time to run to a nearby shelter, and that a customer waiting outside his business saw the incoming drone and also ran to safety.
Russia has increased its attacks on Ukrainian petrol stations in recent months. Facilities in the east and south of the country have been repeatedly targeted, but this week’s attacks mark the first time that strikes against a vital part of daily life have been brought to the capital. Ukraine has also targeted Russian oil infrastructure. Its special forces said this week that they had struck facilities at the Caspian Sea port of Makhachkala.
Kyiv has been pounded by daily drone and missile strikes since late August, at a time when Ukraine is running low on Patriot interceptors. A brief reprieve for the visit of the US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff over the weekend ended on Monday. The petrol station attacks happened as Volodymyr Zelenskyy was on an overseas trip intended to drum up international support and aid before what is expected to be a difficult winter. On Thursday the Ukrainian president met Canada’s prime minister, Mark Carney, who offered support to help boost Ukraine’s drone stocks.
Additional reporting by Illia Dyadik
Frequently Asked Questions
Here is a list of FAQs regarding the report that Russia has targeted petrol stations in Kyiv with jetpowered drones for the first time
What exactly happened
Russia launched a new type of drone attack on Kyiv specifically targeting petrol stations It is the first time these particular jetpowered drones have been used in this conflict
What is a jetpowered drone
Unlike standard propeller drones these drones use a jet engine This makes them much faster and harder to shoot down
Why are they targeting petrol stations
Petrol stations are critical for both civilian and military logistics Destroying them disrupts fuel supplies for vehicles emergency services and the military
Did the attack cause damage
Yes The strikes caused fires and damage at the targeted stations However specific details on the extent of the damage are still being verified
Why is this attack significant
It marks an escalation Russia is using a new more advanced weapon to strike infrastructure deep inside Ukraine specifically in the capital
What makes jetpowered drones different from regular ones
They fly much faster and are harder for air defenses to intercept because they are small but very quick
How does this change the war
It shows Russia is testing new technology to bypass Ukraines air defense systems It also puts more pressure on Ukraine to protect critical civilian infrastructure
What is the difference between a jet drone and a cruise missile
A cruise missile is usually larger carries a bigger warhead and is very expensive A jetpowered drone is cheaper to produce smaller and can be used in swarms
Can Ukraine shoot these drones down
It is difficult Because they are fast and fly low standard antiaircraft guns and older missiles struggle to hit them Ukraine needs advanced systems like the Patriot or NASAMS to reliably intercept them
What is the main advantage for Russia in using these
The main advantage is speed They can reach targets faster than propeller drones giving defenders less time to react
What is the main problem with these drones for Ukraine
The main problem is the cost of interception Ukraine might have to use expensive missiles to shoot down cheap drones which is not sustainable longterm
Are these drones easy to produce
Yes relatively They are often made from cheap materials and modified commercial engines making them easier to mass
