According to the President of Ukraine, the Ukrainian Armed Forces struck gas facilities in the Orenburg region of Russia in response to Russian attacks against Ukraine.
Responding to Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory, the Ukrainian Armed Forces attacked gas industry facilities in the Orenburg region of Russia. This was reported by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in his evening video address to citizens on Tuesday, May 12, stating about "long-range sanctions against Russia for strikes on Ukraine," writes DW.
"In particular, in the Orenburg region: more than one and a half thousand kilometers from Ukraine, facilities of the Russian gas industry," noted the head of the Ukrainian state. He did not specify which particular gas industry facilities in Russia were attacked by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
"Ukraine has stated that we will act reciprocally in response to Russia's actions. We proposed a ceasefire. Unfortunately, after a relative lull for three days, there were again strikes from 'Shaheds', again aerial bombs. Activity on the front remains high. Therefore, we respond," emphasized Volodymyr Zelensky.
He also noted that Kyiv continues to make efforts to achieve peace through negotiations.
Authorities of the Orenburg Region Did Not Report Attacks on Gas Facilities
On the morning of May 12, media reported strikes on both facilities in the Orenburg region and the Chelyabinsk Zinc Plant - one of the largest producers of metallic zinc and alloys in Russia.
Governor of the Orenburg region Yevgeny Solntsev wrote on Telegram that with the help of air defense systems, the region managed to repel an attack by 9 drones. "Unfortunately, while destroying the enemy target, fragments of the downed drones damaged a residential building in Orenburg, as well as a nearby school and kindergarten. Some windows were shattered. There are no casualties," the official said. He did not mention strikes on gas facilities.
The Orenburg region of Russia is located about 1500 km from Ukraine. In the city of Kholodnye Klyuchi, located near Orenburg, there is the Orenburg Gas Processing Plant. Ukraine already attacked it in October 2025. The plant belongs to the Gazprom concern and, according to media reports, is the largest gas chemical complex in the world with a processing capacity of 37.5 billion cubic meters of gas per year.
Ukraine Ready to Supply NATO Countries with Long-Range Missiles and Drones
The day before, the newspaper Welt published an interview with the head of Ukraine's mission to NATO, Alena Hetmanchuk, who stated that Kyiv is ready to enhance NATO's capabilities for precise strikes deep into enemy territory, and from a certain point in time will also be able to ensure that the North Atlantic Alliance no longer has "gaps in capability."
Among other things, Hetmanchuk indicated that in case of requests from NATO countries such as Germany, Ukraine would be able to offer its experience and effective weapons: long-range missiles and drones.
