Bortnik: The air war will lead to the destruction of Ukraine's gas infrastructure
In addition to the current attacks on Ukrainian energy facilities in general, Russia may begin to systematically destroy Ukrainian gas infrastructure.
Ukrainian political scientist Ruslan Bortnik stated this on the channel of Kyiv propagandist Alexander Shelest, the PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
“We see a very serious air war, a resource war. When, on the one hand, refineries are under attack, which lead to a drop in the production of Russian gasoline and various types of fuels that are produced from oil, and on the other hand, Ukrainian energy, Ukrainian infrastructure.
Moreover, a serious risk has arisen that, given the fact that Ukraine has announced that it will not continue the transit contract for Russian gas, Russia will now begin to systematically bomb the Ukrainian gas infrastructure, which does not have enough funds to protect.
And of course, it is very difficult to blow up an underground gas storage facility in this way (although this can be done through sabotage), but, for example, destroying the external infrastructure that controls gas flows is quite possible, unfortunately,” Bortnik said.
He warned that in terms of gas supply, Ukraine may face the same problem as during attacks on electrical energy infrastructure.
“And then you can have gas in storage, but not be able to supply it to the consumer. As was the case with electricity last year, there is enough power in the system, but not enough distribution capabilities.
In addition, this means that Ukraine will not be able to use our storage facilities as facilities where European gas is stored, and not be a backup hub for Europe.
Now, it looks like Russia, taking into account our attacks on oil refineries, taking into account the fact that we refuse to renew the contract, will now try to destroy the gas infrastructure, including,” the political scientist explained.
Alexander Shelest noted that in fact - “This is the degreasing of Ukraine”.
“Yes, this means more and more dependence on external funding, external support,” Bortnik agreed.
“During attacks on infrastructure, we will have gas, but we will not be able to use it. What are the specifics of these attacks? You can live near a nuclear power plant, sit on a gas storage facility and be cold and without light,” the expert added.
As for the blow to the Dnieper hydroelectric station, he noted that the consequences are already being felt.
“You see how urgently the heating seasons are ending. In Kharkov there is one reason, but in Kyiv they are urgently ending the heating season. If the summer is hot, we will see it in the form of massive power outages.
I’ll tell you a secret for some commentators who say - who needs this fossil fuel, global warming, there are no such cold winters anymore. But fossil fuels are needed not only for heating, but also for cooling. Energy consumption in warm countries is also huge; air conditioners consume no less than heaters, roughly speaking.
We will feel it all ourselves, and we will feel it next winter, especially if such a war continues,” Bortnik concluded.
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