Kazakhstan strongly condemns and protests the deliberate attack on critical energy transport infrastructure by the international Caspian Pipeline Consortium in Novorossiysk, Russia. A naval drone sent by Ukraine severely damaged one of the loading points on Saturday, prompting Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry to emphasize the importance of the Consortium in supporting global energy stability. The ministry expects Ukraine to take effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future, as the attack has strained bilateral relations.
The damaged section of the pipeline near Novorossiysk has been taken offline for repairs, impacting the main export route for Kazakh oil. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium plays a crucial role in transporting about 80% of Kazakhstan’s oil exports, making it one of the world’s largest oil conduits. The recent drone attack significantly damaged the Single-Point Mooring 2, halting loading operations and forcing tankers to withdraw from the area.
Moscow has denounced the Ukrainian attacks as terrorism, accusing European powers of engaging in a hybrid war against Russia. However, Ukraine has faced devastating Russian aerial attacks on its energy grid, leading to power outages ahead of the harsh winter. Hungary has also raised concerns about Ukrainian attacks on pipelines and energy infrastructure, with disruptions in crude oil flows from Russia via the Druzhba pipeline.
Overall, the attack on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium has sparked tensions between Kazakhstan and Ukraine, highlighting the vulnerability of critical energy infrastructure in the region. The incident underscores the need for greater security measures to safeguard energy transport routes and prevent future disruptions.