Russia deliberately strikes gas stations in Ukraine's Kharkiv, mayor says
Photo: Russian strike on a gas station in Kharkiv (t.me/DSNS_Kharkiv)
Over the past week, Russian troops have carried out 15 strikes on 11 gas stations in Kharkiv. Almost all of the attacks targeted gas stations located at fueling stations, according to Kharkiv mayor Ihor Terekhov.
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According to him, Russia is using V2U-type drones equipped with artificial intelligence for these attacks, which have been specifically programmed to target gas stations.
"There is no cause for panic. As you saw today, all undamaged gas stations are operational, and drivers can refuel their vehicles," says Terekhov.
The mayor emphasizes that people need to be careful. He also notes that gas station owners must install certain protective barriers to be able to cover the gas dispensers at these stations, since virtually all the strikes targeted them.
"It is very important to have protection; this is not the city council’s prerogative, but rather that of the military administration together with the military, as well as the gas station owners. I have appealed to them to protect their gas stations—this is very important," Terekhov notes.
He recalls that the Russians had been striking railways, transformer substations, and critical infrastructure. He adds that it’s now the gas stations’ turn.
On the morning of May 1, Russian forces attacked five districts of Kharkiv with drones. Hits on gas stations were recorded, and there were casualties.
According to the State Emergency Service of Ukraine, the Russians attacked five gas stations. Fires broke out at two of them, in the Slobidskyi district of the city and in Chuhuiv, but were quickly extinguished.
