Russia Continues Targeting Gas Stations, Killing One and Injuring Three in Zaporizhzhia

A Russian drone attack on a gas station in Zaporizhzhia on July 9 killed one person and injured three others.

The strike targeted a fueling station, causing a major fire that destroyed the facility and nearby vehicles. Head of the Regional Military Administration Ivan Fedorov confirmed the casualties and damage following the strike.

Emergency services arrived at the scene to extinguish the fire and assist the victims. Regional authorities reported that the explosion damaged multiple civilian cars parked near the fueling complex.

Emergency crews continue to clear the debris and secure the area from further hazards.

The strike reflects a recent shift in Russian tactics, with drones increasingly targeting civilian gas stations rather than major energy infrastructure.

According to a Kyiv24 report, Russian attacks destroyed all gas stations along the Dnipro-Kharkiv highway.

Local Telegram channels shared video footage recorded by eyewitnesses showing heavily damaged fueling stations along the route, which spans a distance of over 200 kilometers between the two major cities.

In one of the published clips, a driver noted that he did not encounter a single operating gas station along his entire journey.

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War in Ukraine

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At the time, regional military administrations, relevant government departments, and representatives of major fuel networks had not provided official confirmation regarding whether absolutely all stations along the highway were completely destroyed or simply closed temporarily for safety reasons.

Russia expanded its infrastructure attacks by systematically targeting civilian gas stations across Ukraine using Shahed drones. Following its winter strikes on the energy grid, Russian forces shifted focus to retail fuel complexes, destroying approximately 200 stations since the spring of 2026, including around 50 in June alone.

While initial strikes concentrated on frontline areas like Sumy, Kharkiv, Dnipropetrovsk, and Zaporizhzhia, the geographic scope later expanded deep into central regions, with up to 20 attacks recorded weekly by July. These targeted strikes, such as a night attack on July 1 that hit five stations in the Dnipropetrovsk region and killed a woman, prompted major fuel retailers to introduce special operating procedures and suspend overnight operations to protect customers and employees.

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