A Ukrainian drone strike targeted a key pumping station on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) pipeline in southern Russia, disrupting oil supplies from Kazakhstan, the pipeline operator said Monday.
The overnight attack saw seven explosive-laden drones strike the Kropotkinskaya pumping station, the largest on the pipeline in Russia’s Krasnodar region. The CPC pipeline transports Kazakh oil across Russia for export via the Black Sea, including to Western Europe.
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“Oil transportation through the Tengiz-Novorossiysk pipeline system is being carried out at reduced pumping levels,” CPC said on social media.
The 930-mile pipeline is operated by a consortium that includes the Russian and Kazakh governments, alongside Western energy companies Chevron, ExxonMobil and Shell. In 2024, it loaded more than 63 million tons of oil onto tankers at its terminal in Novorossiysk.
Russia’s Defense Ministry claimed to have “intercepted and destroyed” 90 Ukrainian drones overnight, including 24 over the Krasnodar region, where the CPC operates. Meanwhile, Ukraine’s air force said it shot down 83 out of 147 drones launched by Russia, with another 59 reportedly “lost” without causing damage.
In retaliation, Russia targeted Ukrainian energy infrastructure, leading to emergency power outages in some regions, according to Ukrainian grid operator Ukrenergo.
Post Image Credit: CPC
