Ukraine fortifies its filling stations against Russian attacks

By Olena Harmash KYIV, Oct 9 (Reuters) Sand-filled blast barriers and concrete shelters are multiplying at filling stations in Ukraine in a push by retailers to fortify their networks as Russia attacks fuel infrastructure in ​major cities. Russia has struck petrol stations in frontline areas since the ‌beginning of the full-scale war in 2022, but in recent months it has broadened its air campaign to target fuel retailers in Kyiv, Dnipro and Kharkiv. A senior executive at state-owned Ukrnafta, Ukraine s largest oil company, said it was taking steps to protect its facilities and ‌the strikes ​would not cause shortages this winter despite an ⁠expected increase in demand of ⁠10-15%. Even when petrol stations are hit, operations are sometimes restored within days, said Lesya Zharska, director of Ukrnafta s station network. We will protect the facilities. We will restore the facilities. We are ready for the winter, she said ​in an interview at an Ukrnafta station on the outskirts of Kyiv