Ukraine to insure gas stations against Russian war risks

Ukraine's Finance Ministry, alongside fuel industry representatives, is exploring ways to insure gas stations against potential war risks. Energy Minister Denys Shmyhal disclosed this during a government question session in the Ukrainian parliament on August 21. The need for such a mechanism comes after over 300 gas stations were damaged or destroyed by Russian attacks in the past six months alone.

Shmyhal emphasized that gas stations are considered critical infrastructure as they supply fuel to both the population and the economy. The government is coordinating weekly with fuel station networks due to these frequent attacks. The Finance Ministry, in collaboration with industry representatives, is studying a war-risk insurance model and the possibility of establishing a special fund to compensate for any losses.

Currently, the government does not intend to create a separate budget program solely for compensating losses to power infrastructure facilities. Approved resilience plans ensure that critical infrastructure, whether owned by the state or private entities, can receive assistance for reconstruction from funds like the Ukraine Energy Support Fund. The total resources allocated for protecting, restoring, and supporting the energy sector are estimated at around 5 billion euros ($5.8 billion).

Russian forces attacked two gas stations in Sumy Oblast in late July 2026. Following recent developments, gas stations in frontline regions of Ukraine may be classified as critical infrastructure, which would allow additional resources to be directed toward their protection. Viktor Mykyta, deputy head of Ukraine's Presidential Office, made this announcement after an operational meeting in Sumy Oblast.

Oleh Synehubov, head of the Kharkiv Oblast Military Administration, confirmed that local authorities have agreed with gas station network representatives on measures to provide physical, passive protection to these facilities. He also dismissed reports suggesting a lack of operating gas stations along the highway connecting Kharkiv and Poltava, asserting that there is no fuel shortage in the region.

According to analyst Clément Molin, Russia has attacked 160 gas stations in Ukraine, and warned of the significant threat this poses to the country's energy security. Earlier this month, the Cabinet of Ministers proposed a measure to allow mobile fueling stations to operate.