Sea Drone Strikes Force Shutdown at Major Russian Oil Terminal as War Tensions Deepen

Operations at one of Russia’s key oil export facilities were suspended on Saturday after sea drones targeted the site, just hours before Ukrainian officials were set to travel to the United States for discussions on ending the ongoing conflict.

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC)—which operates the terminal and counts U.S. energy giants Chevron and ExxonMobil among its partners—described the attack as a “terrorist act.”

Ukraine did not comment on the strike, though it has increasingly intensified pressure on Russia as the war approaches its fourth year.

The drone attack coincided with a heavy overnight barrage of Russian missiles and drones on Ukraine. According to Ukrainian authorities, three people were killed and multiple buildings across Kyiv were damaged.

The CPC reported:
“As a result of a targeted terrorist attack by unmanned boats at 4:06 am Moscow time (0106 GMT) single Mooring Point 2 (SMP-2) sustained significant damage. Further operation of SMP-2 is not possible.”
The consortium added that loading operations would resume only after drone threats have subsided.

The pipeline system, which stretches from Kazakhstan to the Russian terminal, is a critical export route for Kazakh oil—handling roughly 1% of the world’s crude supply.

Meanwhile, the United States is pushing a potential peace proposal, seeking buy-in from both Kyiv and Moscow. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed a delegation was en route to Washington to review the plan, though talks come at a politically challenging time as his government faces corruption controversies and ongoing battlefield setbacks.

Kyiv reels from overnight strikes

AFP journalists reported a night marked by loud detonations in Kyiv. By morning, burnt vehicles and fire-damaged buildings could be seen across the city.
The Ukrainian energy ministry stated that more than 600,000 customers lost power nationwide, including 500,000 in Kyiv alone.

Russia claims its strikes targeted energy facilities supporting Ukraine’s military industries. Ukraine says the attacks are intended to break civilian morale.

Zelensky wrote on X:
“The main targets of the attack were energy infrastructure and civilian facilities… We currently have reports of dozens injured and three killed.”

Residents described terrifying moments as explosions sent debris smashing into homes and vehicles.

Ukraine claims strikes on Russian-linked “shadow fleet”

A Ukrainian intelligence source said Kyiv was behind explosions that struck two oil tankers in the Black Sea—the Virat and the Kairos—which Turkey claims were covertly transporting sanctioned Russian oil.

The Ukrainian SBU source said:
“Modernised Sea Baby naval drones successfully targeted the vessels,”
and shared video footage purportedly showing drones approaching before detonations.

Since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022, the war has become the largest and deadliest conflict in Europe since World War II. Tens of thousands have lost their lives, and millions of Ukrainians have been displaced.

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