Ukraine’s gas interconnector remains operational despite Russian drone strike

Ukraine's Orlovka gas interconnector in the southern Odesa region continued operating normally on August 7, despite sustaining damage in a Russian drone strike the day before, the country’s gas transmission operator stated.

“Deliveries are made in the same manner as before,” a company official said, confirming that the gas flows through the critical route remained uninterrupted following the attack, Caliber.Az reports, citing foreign media.

On August 6, Ukrainian authorities reported that Russian drones had targeted a gas pumping station connected to the Orlovka interconnector—part of a key infrastructure corridor enabling the import of liquefied natural gas (LNG) and pipeline gas into Ukraine. The facility, located near the Romanian border, is considered vital for bolstering Ukraine’s energy resilience ahead of the winter heating season.

Despite the strike, the operator reported that 0.42 million cubic metres of gas were scheduled to pass through the Orlovka interconnector on August 7, demonstrating the network’s resilience and the swift response of Ukrainian infrastructure teams.

The Orlovka point forms a critical segment of the Transbalkan pipeline system, which links LNG terminals in Greece with Ukrainian underground gas storage facilities. This infrastructure enables Ukraine to access energy imports from a variety of sources, including Greek and Turkish LNG, Azerbaijani gas, Romanian pipeline supplies, and potentially offshore gas from Bulgaria.

Kyiv has previously described the route as “extremely important” for ensuring the country’s energy security. In the face of repeated Russian attacks on critical infrastructure, Ukraine has placed increased emphasis on diversifying its gas supply routes and enhancing its capacity to store imported gas for winter demand.

By Vafa Guliyeva