Ukraine may strike at Russia's oil, gas infrastructure in response to attacks on power grids

Energy Minister German Galushchenko said that Ukraine could attack Russian oil and gas infrastructure in response to the winter attacks on the Ukrainian energy system

He said this in an interview with Politico.

Speaking in Washington, Galushchenko Russia regularly carries out cyberattacks on Ukraine's power grids and is expected to intensify physical attacks when temperature drops and people become more dependent on energy to heat their homes.

When asked whether President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's words about "retaliation" if Russia intensifies its attacks could mean Ukraine targeting Russia's vast oil and gas infrastructure, the biggest engine of its economy, he replied: "That would be fair."

“When answering [Russia’s attack], we would answer by taking the same approach, attacking their energy infrastructure,” Galushchenko said.

The minister downplayed the idea that an attack on Russia's ability to produce or transport oil and gas would lead to a price spike, saying that other producers could offset the supply.

"Attacks on infrastructure would not be that critical for prices, especially when you talk about gas and oil. I mean, these are fuels that can be bought not only in Russia. I am sure that the world could cope," the Energy Minister emphasized.

Galushchenko also said that he had called on US officials to impose sanctions on Russia's nuclear power industry.