Ukraine Drone Attack Strikes Major Oil Pipeline In Russia, Disrupting Global Supply

A Ukrainian drone attack has struck a crucial oil pipeline in Russia, reducing the capacity of a major crude transportation route that supplies around 1% of the world’s oil.

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) confirmed that multiple drones hit its Kropotkinskaya pumping station in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region on the night of February 16, 2025, disrupting the oil flow.

The CPC pipeline, stretching 1,500 kilometres, transports oil from Kazakhstan’s Tengiz field across Russia to Novorossiysk, where it is loaded onto tankers for global markets.

The attack on Kropotkinskaya, the pipeline’s largest pumping station in Russia, has led to crude transportation being maintained at reduced flow rates.

The consortium, which includes Russian, Kazakh, and Western stakeholders such as Chevron, ExxonMobil, and Shell, stated that while operations continue, the pumping station remains out of service.

No oil spill was reported, and staff managed to contain the impact.

Overnight, Ukrainian attack drones successfully struck two major Russian oil installations in Krasnodar Krai.

Early in the evening, seven Ukrainian drones struck the Kropotkinskaya pumping station, the largest on the Caspian Pipeline, reportedly slashing total system capacity. pic.twitter.com/3IQPFXTO8W

— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 17, 2025

A Ukrainian security official confirmed that the SBU, Ukraine’s security service, was responsible for the attack on the Kropotkinskaya station and the nearby Ilsky oil refinery.

The official stated that these sites support Russia’s war effort by supplying fuel and generating oil revenues that finance military operations.

Reports show that at least seven drones loaded with explosives struck the pumping station, while 20 explosions were heard at the refinery.

According to the official, the strikes disrupted pumping operations and will continue targeting Russian oil infrastructure.

Dmitry Medvedev, Deputy Chairman of Russia’s Security Council, condemned the attack, warning that damage to the CPC pipeline could destabilise the global oil market, trigger price spikes, and negatively impact Western companies.

He also said that the attack was a direct challenge to U.S. President Donald Trump, who asked for lower oil prices.

Russia’s defence ministry reported that 90 Ukrainian drones were intercepted overnight, including 24 over Krasnodar, but did not confirm whether any were successfully stopped from hitting the pipeline.

Meanwhile, Ukraine’s military claimed it had downed 83 of 147 Russian drones in a retaliatory wave of overnight attacks.

Ukrainian drones cripple Russia’s largest Caspian Pipeline pumping station, Kropotkinskaya—cutting off oil transit to Novorossiysk. Some added color for the talks in Saudi Arabia. pic.twitter.com/vpHMl6TICm

— Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) February 17, 2025

Kazakhstan, which relies on the CPC pipeline for 80% of its oil exports, has a major stake in the pipeline’s operations. The country remains neutral in the Russia-Ukraine conflict but heavily depends on the pipeline for foreign exchange revenue.

Western oil giants are also feeling the impact. Chevron, which holds a 15% stake in the CPC, had projected $4 billion in free cash flow from its Tengiz oilfield investments this year.

ExxonMobil and Shell also have stakes in the pipeline, and any prolonged disruption could affect deliveries and financial projections.

Despite the attack, Chevron stated that its Kazakh joint venture continues producing and exporting oil through the CPC pipeline without interruption.

Front-month Brent and WTI crude futures rose by nearly 1% following the pipeline slowdown. Analysts believe prolonged disruptions could cause further volatility in global oil prices.

Reference: Arab News, Reuters

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