Russia has launched a drone attack on a key gas compressor station at the Orlivka facility in Ukraine, part of a new gas corridor aimed at addressing the country’s energy deficit ahead of the 2025-2026 winter season. The attack damaged infrastructure essential for the flow of gas along this corridor, according to Ukraine’s Ministry of Energy.
The Orlivka station, operated by the Gas Transmission System Operator of Ukraine (GTS), is located in the Odesa region near the Ukrainian-Romanian border. The facility was targeted on August 6, with around 20 drones impacting Izmail, Reni, and Artsyz in the area.
Ukrainian Minister of Energy Svitlana Hrinchuk described Moscow’s latest attack as an attempt to undermine European energy independence and alternative gas routes. “The massive Russian drone strike shows Moscow is using all tools to undermine Europe’s energy independence,” she said.
The Trans-Balkan Gas Route, launched in July, has delivered American LNG and test volumes of Azerbaijani gas to Ukraine’s underground storage facilities. However, the attack damaged critical infrastructure, which will require technicians to assess the site and provide full damage reports in the coming days.
Russia’s drone strike has disrupted imports via the Trans-Balkan Gas Route, with deliveries stopping in early August. In July 2025, this route accounted for less than 1% of Ukraine’s total gas imports. The Orlivka station now operates exclusively in reverse mode to import gas into Ukraine, following the end of Russian transit in early 2025.
Source: https://www.kyivpost.com/post/57665