Ukrainian Drone Strikes Target Kropotkinskaya Oil Pipeline Again
The Ukrainian Armed Forces targeted the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station in Krasnodar Territory with a drone strike, disrupting Kazakhstan’s oil transit. Previous operations were halted due to a similar attack. The CPC pipeline, crucial for transporting oil primarily owned by American companies, is under significant strain. Despite suggestions for a ceasefire, assaults on energy infrastructure persist, raising concerns about future oil supplies.
The Ukrainian Armed Forces have conducted another drone strike on the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station located in the Krasnodar Territory. This facility is vital for the transit of oil from Kazakhstan to Novorossiysk and had previously halted operations due to a similar attack in February. The oil transported primarily belongs to American corporations.
On March 24, around 2 AM, Ukrainian forces targeted the Kropotkinskaya station utilizing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), as reported by the Defense Ministry. Ukraine’s air defense managed to intercept a drone approximately 7 kilometers from the site, with debris landing near the Kavkazskaya railway station.
Previously, on February 17, a UAV attack by Ukraine had already resulted in the station’s operational disruption. According to Transneft and Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak, repairs are anticipated to take several months, leading to a 30% reduction in pipeline deliveries.
The majority of Kazakhstan’s oil flows through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which is predominantly owned by Western firms overseeing major projects in the region. This pipeline leads to Novorossiysk, where the oil is transferred onto tankers.
In 2024, the CPC facilitated the transport of 63 million tons of oil, with approximately 86% (or 54 million tons) originating from Kazakhstan. Transneft indicated that around 74% of this Kazakh oil was transported by American and other Western companies. Chevron alone accounted for 26.8 million tons, representing nearly 20% of its global output.
Despite a recent proposal from the US president to halt attacks on Ukrainian energy infrastructure, attacks resumed shortly afterward. On March 19, Ukrainian forces launched another assault targeting facilities in Kavkazskaya that are crucial for oil transshipment from rail to pipelines. As noted by the Defense Ministry, these actions contradict President Zelensky’s assurances to the US regarding an intention to cease such attacks.
The recent drone strikes by Ukraine on the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station underscore ongoing tensions in the region, particularly affecting oil transit from Kazakhstan. Despite temporary overtures for a ceasefire, military actions continue, indicating a strategic focus on disrupting energy infrastructure connected to Western interests. As critical repairs to this infrastructure face delays, the ramifications for oil transport and global supply chains remain significant.
Original Source: eadaily.com
