Galushchenko said that in case of Russian attacks on Ukraine's infrastructure, Ukraine would strike back.
He disagreed with the view that attacks on Russian oil and gas infrastructure would cause a price spike.
Ukrainian Energy Minister Herman Galushchenko said that Ukraine has the capabilities to attack Russian oil and gas infrastructure if Moscow intensifies its shelling of Ukraine's energy system this winter.
He said this in an interview with Politico during a visit to the United States.
Galushchenko said that Russia regularly conducts cyberattacks on Ukraine's power grids. He is convinced that physical attacks are expected to increase with the onset of cold weather, when people are more dependent on energy to heat their homes.
In October, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine would respond to increased attacks by Russia on the country's energy system this winter. Asked if Zelensky's "response" included the possibility of Ukraine attacking Russia's oil and gas infrastructure, Galushchenko replied: "It would be fair."
"We would respond in kind by attacking their energy infrastructure," Galushchenko said. He disagreed with the idea that attacks on Russian oil and gas infrastructure would cause a price spike.
Galushchenko doubted that attacks on Russia's ability to produce or transport oil and gas could cause prices to soar, arguing that other producers could offset supplies.
"I mean, this fuel can be bought not only from Russia. I am sure the world will cope," he said.
Galushchenko also noted that he was in favor of sanctions against Russia's nuclear industry, including the state-owned Rosatom.
The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which sent representatives to the Zaporizhzhya NPP, has an "illusion of control" over the situation, but has failed to convince Russia to leave the nuclear plant, Galushchenko added.
"We need to create something new. My answer is sanctions against the Russian nuclear industry. Otherwise, you have no way to make them leave," the Ukrainian minister said.
Background. As a reminder, Zelenskyy warned that in case of Russian attacks on Ukraine's energy systems, there would be retaliatory strikes.
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