Ukraine has struck an oil pipeline connecting the Caspian and Black Seas through southern Russia with drones, causing a major pumping station to shut down, the operator said today, quoted by Agence France-Presse, BTA reports.
Another Ukrainian strike, which is in response to Russia's attacks in Ukraine over the past three years, comes amid heightened diplomatic activity surrounding the conflict. On Wednesday, US President Donald Trump shocked Europe after calling his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin and saying he wanted to work for “immediate” talks to end hostilities - a move that has raised concerns that Washington is abandoning Kiev.
According to a statement from the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which transports crude oil from Kazakhstan to Europe, the attack was carried out "by seven drones loaded with explosives and metal components" with the aim of "disrupting the operation of the installation and causing casualties among the station's operating personnel."
"There were no casualties among CPC personnel. The consortium's employees managed to prevent the threat of an oil spill," he added.
However, the Kropotkinskaya pumping station in question near the Russian city of Stavropol, the largest along the pipeline route, has been taken out of service and the pipeline is operating at reduced pumping capacity.
According to the company's website, 24 percent of the ownership of KPC is owned by Russia, 19 percent by Kazakhstan and 15 percent by the American oil and gas giant “Chevron“.
“All shareholders of the international consortium, including representatives of American and European companies, have been informed of the attack“, KPC said.
This oil pipeline is more than 1,500 km long and mainly transports oil from Kazakhstan through Russia to the Black Sea, which is then transported to Europe.
Kiev has not yet commented on the attack, AFP reports.