Astana: Kazakhstan has strongly criticized Ukraine after a drone strike damaged a mooring point at a major Caspian Pipeline Consortium oil terminal on the Black Sea, disrupting oil exports and raising concern over the safety of critical infrastructure.
The attack happened near Novorossiysk in southern Russia, where the terminal handles crude oil shipments from Kazakhstan and Russia. Caspian Pipeline Consortium confirmed that the strike damaged one of its single point moorings used for loading oil onto tankers. As a result, tankers were temporarily moved from the area and loading was suspended.
Kazakhstan’s foreign ministry called the strike a deliberate attack on civilian energy infrastructure and warned that such actions could harm relations between Kazakhstan and Ukraine. Officials urged Ukraine to prevent similar incidents in the future.
Ukraine has not commented on the accusation.
The strike came shortly after Ukrainian naval drones also targeted two tankers reportedly linked to Russia’s shadow oil fleet. Observers say the incidents point to a growing strategy of targeting energy supply chains linked to the war.
The pipeline affected by the strike is one of the most important export routes for Kazakhstan. Nearly 80 percent of Kazakhstan’s crude oil exports move through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal. Any disruption raises concerns for Kazakhstan’s economy and global oil markets.
CPC later confirmed that operations have resumed, but export volumes for November have been revised down due to the temporary shutdown and earlier weather disruptions.
Energy and security analysts say the attack highlights increasing risks as the conflict expands beyond the battlefield and into economic and energy pressure points. Some warn that repeated strikes on infrastructure could affect global oil prices and shipping safety in the Black Sea.
For now, Kazakhstan is focusing on repairing the damaged equipment and preventing delays in future shipments. However, the government made clear it expects Ukraine to avoid actions that could threaten its role as a major oil supplier.
The situation remains tense, and further responses from both sides are expected.