Russia has intensified attacks on Ukrainian petrol stations since April, with a Ukrainian energy think tank recording at least 246 strikes on filling stations to date, part of an apparent strategy to deprive civilians of fuel as Ukraine continues to hit Russian oil refineries. The campaign, concentrated near the front line but growing more frequent and destructive, has killed and injured civilians, forced authorities to issue safety guidance, and left entire towns and stretches of key roads without functioning fuel supplies.

Strikes verified by the Centre for Information Resilience nearly doubled from 66 in June to 114 in July, and Russia has shifted from smaller drones to costlier, more destructive Iranian-made Shahed drones, some costing up to $50,000 each. Recent attacks include two petrol stations hit in Kharkiv on Monday, wounding two people, and a strike near Kryvyi Rih last week that killed three. Police now advise drivers to abandon vehicles and leave stations during air raid alerts, while some towns, such as Trostyanets, have lost all petrol stations and now rely on mobile fuel tankers that relocate to avoid being targeted.