Persistent Russian Strikes on Poltava Gas Infrastructure Claim Life of Naftogaz Operator Roman Chmykhun

Naftogaz operator Roman Chmykhun was killed as Russian drones targeted three gas production sites in the Poltava region over the last three days.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 28, 2026, 10:35 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from Interfax-Ukraine

A Week of Heavy Losses for Naftogaz

The Ukrainian energy sector is mourning the loss of Roman Chmykhun, a process equipment operator who was killed during a targeted strike on gas infrastructure in the Poltava region. Chmykhun, 55, is the second Naftogaz employee to be killed by Russian fire in a matter of days. Earlier this week, on March 26, a chemical department worker named Olha Basenko was killed during an artillery strike on the Kherson combined heat and power plant. Naftogaz CEO Serhiy Koretsky expressed deep condolences to Chmykhun’s family and colleagues, emphasizing the "painful" nature of these repeated losses among the frontline energy workforce.

Systemic Attacks on Poltava Production Assets

For three consecutive days, Russian forces have focused their aerial capabilities on gas production facilities in Poltava. The latest wave, occurring throughout Friday night and Saturday morning, involved a series of drone strikes targeting three distinct production sites. These assets are critical to Ukraine's domestic energy independence, and the persistent nature of the strikes suggests a deliberate strategy to degrade the country’s fuel extraction and processing capacity before the end of the heating season.

Operational Shutdowns and Emergency Response

Following the morning strikes, Naftogaz officials made the decision to immediately halt operations at the affected equipment to prevent further secondary explosions or leaks. Serhiy Koretsky confirmed that "all relevant services" are currently on-site to stabilize the infrastructure and eliminate the aftermath of the drone impacts. The extent of the structural damage to the process equipment is still being assessed, but the suspension of activities at three sites represents a significant temporary blow to regional gas output.