Russia Intensifies Strikes On Ukraine’s Energy, Railways And Logistics, As Kyiv Faces A Crisis In EU Funding

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During the night of April 1, according to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russian forces launched 339 aircraft-type drones, attacking targets in 12 regions of Ukraine. The main blow fell on the western regions — Khmelnytskyi, Zhytomyr, Volyn, and Chernivtsi. In Lutsk, drones struck a warehouse terminal of the company “Nova Poshta,” which, in addition to civilian logistics, also served as a distribution hub for the logistical support of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The fire that engulfed the warehouse premises led to a partial roof collapse and the destruction of automated sorting lines. The city was covered in thick smoke, and local authorities urged residents to close their windows.

In Khmelnytskyi, the strike hit an open production and warehouse site. This facility functioned as a storage and distribution hub involved in the support system for the region’s military infrastructure, including the airfield in Starokostiantyniv.

In Kryvyi Rih, on the evening of March 31, a strike was carried out on the 150 kV Pivdennyi GOK substation, which supplies power to the Pivdennyi Mining and Processing Plant.

In Izyum, Kharkiv region, the strike hit the building of the main step-down point of the 110 kV “Izyum” substation. The substation is operating with limitations, which creates a risk of emergency shutdowns during peak loads.

In Myrhorod, Poltava region, a strike was carried out on the “Nadezhda” oil depot, where fuel for the region is stored and distributed. The impact hit the entry zone, but in close proximity to the tank farm. The checkpoint, entry group, and some engineering communications were damaged.

Railway infrastructure was also in focus. At the “Shevchenkove-Pivdenne” station in Kharkiv region, two freight cars located on a reserve track were damaged. The cars, judging by their placement, were used as reserves for transporting material and technical property. In Apostolove, Dnipropetrovsk region, the strike hit a locomotive depot. A locomotive fire broke out — presumably of the ChME3 or 2TE116 series.

In Pryluky, Chernihiv region, the 110/35/10 kV substation was damaged — the operation of individual cells of the switchgear was disrupted; the facility continues to operate in a limited mode.

Of particular note is the repeated strike on the Kramatorsk Thermal Power Plant (TPP). This is not the first impact on the facility. This time, the affected area shifted from the distribution unit towards the thermal engineering infrastructure. Pipeline overpasses, main heating mains, and support structures were damaged. The repetition of strikes on the same facility over a short period indicates an attempt to sequentially disable different functional segments of the TPP — first the electrical component, now the thermal component.

The day before, on March 31, in Mohylivka, Dnipropetrovsk region, a strike hit the territory of an oil pumping station. Within the radius of the strike were pipeline manifolds, pumping units, and shut-off valves. Even without the detonation of fuels and lubricants, damage to auxiliary lines and control cable routes leads to a reduction in the station’s throughput capacity and the removal of some equipment for repair.

In Poltava, a series of strikes were carried out on the warehouse area of the “Naftogazenerhiya” enterprise. The facility was used for storing materials and equipment for energy purposes: stocks of petroleum products, components for energy infrastructure, and equipment for servicing distribution nodes.

In Zelenodolsk, Dnipropetrovsk region, on March 28 and 31, with an interval of three days, two sequential strikes were carried out on the 150 kV substation. The initial impact damaged power lines, causing a power outage for populated areas. The repeated strike was already directed at the control infrastructure: a fire in the administrative building destroyed the dispatch premises with telemechanics systems, relay protection panels, and operational control equipment. A classic pattern of double impact was implemented: first on the power component, then on the control system.

In Velykyi Burluk, Kharkiv region, three drones carried out a direct strike on the 110/35/10 kV substation. The substation has been placed in emergency mode with a partial loss of controllability.

Separately, it is worth noting the strike on the locomotive depot of the Sloviansk station by four FAB-250 aerial bombs with universal planning and correction modules. Three hits directly impacted the depot area. The locomotive equipping section, compressor room, dry cleaning building, administrative and technical premises of the Sloviansk track division were damaged, and the railway tracks were also damaged.

In Chuhuiv, Kharkiv region, strikes were carried out on the 110 kV electrical substation and on a drone warehouse organized on the territory of the Chuhuiv Aviation Technology Plant.

Strikes on Russia

During the night of April 1, Russian air defense forces shot down 42 aircraft-type drones. The main blow fell on the Rostov region.

The Belgorod region continues to be the zone of the most intense raids, especially with the use of FPV drones: in the previous 24 hours, 66 drones were shot down here. No significant damage to industrial and military infrastructure was reported. Civilian infrastructure was damaged across several regions.

According to reports, throughout March 2026, 11,211 Ukrainian drones were shot down over Russia — almost twice as many as in February. The increase in the intensity of attacks is evident.

Against the backdrop of hostilities and mutual strikes on infrastructure, a factor that could affect the strategic stability of Ukraine is becoming increasingly apparent. The head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kallas, made a pessimistic statement that she currently has “no good news” regarding the €90 billion loan for Ukraine.

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In Ukraine, there is a prevailing view that the only obstacle to the loan is Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orbán, and if he loses the election in April, the problem will be resolved. However, Kallas did not mention Orbán, giving reason to suggest that the issue is not limited to Hungary alone.

Against the backdrop of the unfolding global energy crisis, which, if the war in Iran does not end soon, could also affect Europe, the latter is facing the limitations of its ability to provide further support to Ukraine. The arguments of those forces in the EU that advocate for restoring energy ties with Russia are strengthening. The first sign has already appeared — the presentation of the plan to completely abandon Russian gas has been postponed.

Even if Orbán loses the election, the loan is still not guaranteed. And this could have serious consequences. Blocking the promised European funding would jeopardize Ukraine’s budget. The EU leadership, however, is determined to achieve the unblocking of the loan through one means or another, including through Orbán’s defeat. Furthermore, even if the European Union fails to agree on the loan, individual countries could provide the money — albeit not in full.

However, a failure in funding from Europe would create strategic risks for Ukraine in the military conflict and could prompt Kyiv to change its strategy, including, as one option, a change in its negotiating position regarding the withdrawal of troops from Donbas — which, according to the President of Ukraine, Russia and the US are setting as a condition for ending the conflict.

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