Since the onset of winter, Russia has intensified its assault on Ukraine’s vital mineral infrastructure, carrying out over 120 strikes that have disrupted key supply chains. These attacks have focused on iron ore production, coal mines, rail networks, and export terminals, marking a shift from sporadic incidents to a more systematic campaign.
Meanwhile, Ukraine’s energy sector has also faced relentless pressure. The state-owned oil and gas company Naftogaz reported that during the recent 151-day heating season, Russian forces executed at least 129 attacks on gas and heating facilities. The damage has been extensive, targeting pipelines, gas extraction sites, underground storage, and heating systems—critical components for providing warmth and energy to the population.
Ukraine’s mineral industry encompasses more than just mining operations; it includes a comprehensive network of iron ore pits, coal fields, railways, and Black Sea ports that facilitate exports. Iron ore ranks as the country’s second-largest export after agricultural products, with nearly 90 percent transported through Black Sea ports, underscoring the strategic importance of these routes.
Ports in the Odesa region have repeatedly suffered attacks, damaging cargo terminals, storage facilities, and loading equipment. Consequently, export capacity at major ports has declined by up to 30 percent. Frequent air raid warnings have forced prolonged halts in port operations, sometimes lasting days or weeks, resulting in significant delays.
The disruption extends beyond coastal areas. Inland railways, essential for moving ore and coal to ports, have been heavily targeted. Ukraine’s infrastructure ministry recorded hundreds of attacks on transport systems, including 266 railway strikes in 2026 alone.
Coal mines, particularly those producing coking coal vital for steel manufacturing, have also been affected. Some mines have sustained damage, while others have shut down due to nearby combat or power outages. Even where mining continues, transportation challenges have increased costs and slowed deliveries, creating a ripple effect throughout the industry.
Collectively, these assaults on energy and mineral infrastructure reveal a broader strategic objective. By simultaneously targeting gas supplies, heating systems, mines, railways, and ports, the campaign disrupts exports and complicates efforts to maintain heating and industrial production.
In this winter phase of the conflict, the pressure is being applied comprehensively—from energy and heating to production and logistics—intensifying the strain on Ukraine’s economy and everyday life.
