Russian forces have escalated attacks on Ukraine’s petrol stations, turning forecourts into high-risk zones for civilians and disrupting fuel supplies across the east and south. Industry estimates report around 20 strikes weekly, with up to 200 stations damaged or destroyed in recent months.
Civilian workers on the frontline of fuel strikes
Petrol station attendants now rely on drone-tracking apps to survive shifts, as Moscow deploys Geran-3 attack drones—Russia’s version of Iranian-designed Shaheds—alongside smaller fixed-wing and FPV drones. Dima, a 65-year-old attendant in Pavlohrad, Dnipropetrovsk region, describes the terror: "When I see something in the air, I run for my life."
A direct hit on a station at the opposite end of Pavlohrad last week killed or injured several people, while another drone was intercepted moments before striking Dima’s forecourt the previous day. Military authorities now urge motorists to spend no more than 10 minutes refuelling.
Russia shifts tactics to target civilian infrastructure
Previously focused on refineries and storage depots, Russian forces are now prioritising roadside stations used by civilians, ambulances, and military vehicles. Andriy, commander of a nearby mobile air-defence unit, explains the challenge: "The jet-powered Geran-3 flies at 400km/h, making interception difficult." His team relies on heat-seeking Stinger missiles after struggling with Browning machine guns.
Sergei, a 59-year-old pump attendant, believes the strikes are retaliation for Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil refineries. "It’s revenge," he says, pointing to shrapnel marks on his kiosk. Despite the danger, he refuses to quit: "Our customers still need petrol."
Workers demand better protection as risks rise
Irada, a 31-year-old single mother managing an OKKO station, says her employer has offered only makeshift blast protection. "If anything happens to me, who will look after my daughter?" she asks. Her relatives remain trapped in Russian-occupied territory, adding to her vulnerability.
Fuel industry sources report that casualties from station attacks are often underreported. While Ukraine’s air defences have intercepted some drones, the threat persists as Russia adapts its tactics. With no end in sight, forecourt workers face an impossible choice: risk their lives or abandon their livelihoods.
