Kazakhstan Condemns Ukraine Over Drone Attack on Vital Black Sea Oil Terminal
MOSCOW – Kazakhstan has issued a strong condemnation of Ukraine following a recent drone attack targeting the Caspian Pipeline Consortium's (CPC) Black Sea terminal. This critical energy infrastructure, located in the waters off Russia's Port of Novorossiysk, is a cornerstone of global oil supply, responsible for handling more than 1% of the world's total crude.
Damage and Operational Halt
The incident unfolded on Saturday, leading to a significant disruption. The CPC confirmed that operations were temporarily halted after a Ukrainian naval drone inflicted substantial damage to a crucial mooring at its Black Sea terminal. The immediate cessation of activities underscores the severity of the assault and its potential ramifications for energy distribution.
A Third Act of Aggression Against Civilian Infrastructure
Kazakhstan's foreign ministry wasted no time in formally protesting what it described as "yet another deliberate attack on the critical infrastructure of the international Caspian Pipeline Consortium." The ministry's statement highlighted the recurring nature of such incidents, noting that this marks the third act of aggression against an exclusively civilian facility. It further emphasized that the operation of such vital installations is expressly safeguarded by established norms of international law.
The consistent targeting of civilian infrastructure raises serious concerns regarding adherence to international legal frameworks and has broader implications for global stability and the secure transport of essential resources. As a major oil exporter relying heavily on the CPC pipeline, Kazakhstan views the security of this infrastructure as paramount to its economic stability. This event further complicates the already volatile geopolitical landscape surrounding the conflict in Ukraine, impacting international energy security.