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Kazakhstan's foreign ministry condemned the strike, calling it the third series of attacks this year on what it described as "an exclusively civilian facility whose operation is safeguarded by norms of international law".
The pipeline system exports roughly 80 per cent of Kazakhstan’s oil and carried 68.6 million tonnes last year. (Photo: Reuters)
New Delhi,UPDATED: Dec 1, 2025 05:01 IST
Kazakhstan on Sunday told Ukraine to immediately stop drone strikes on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium’s (CPC) Black Sea terminal, warning that repeated attacks on the critical oil facility had disrupted global supplies.
The appeal came after a major Ukrainian naval drone attack forced the CPC to suspend operations at its Novorossiysk terminal, which handles more than 1 per cent of the world’s oil.
The CPC -- whose shareholders include Russia, Kazakhstan, Chevron, Lukoil and ExxonMobil -- said a key loading buoy was "significantly damaged" in a November 29 strike, forcing the withdrawal of tankers and a halt in all loading operations.
The pipeline system exports roughly 80 per cent of Kazakhstan’s oil and carried 68.6 million tonnes last year, making it one of the most important arteries of energy supply in the region.
KAZAKHSTAN PROTESTS DELIBERATE ATTACK
Kazakhstan’s foreign ministry condemned the strike, calling it the third series of attacks this year on what it described as "an exclusively civilian facility whose operation is safeguarded by norms of international law".
"Kazakhstan expresses its protest over yet another deliberate attack on the critical infrastructure of the international Caspian Pipeline Consortium in the waters of the Port of Novorossiysk," the ministry said.
"We view what has occurred as an action harming the bilateral relations of the Republic of Kazakhstan and Ukraine, and we expect the Ukrainian side to take effective measures to prevent similar incidents in the future," it added.
The CPC said the damaged Single-Point Mooring 2 -- a floating terminal used to load oil onto tankers -- could not continue functioning. "Further operation of Single Point Mooring 2 is not possible," the operator said, confirming a complete suspension of loading.
"We believe that the attack on the CPC is an attack on the interests of the CPC member countries," the consortium added.
UKRAINE DENIES TARGETING KAZAKH INTERESTS
Ukraine pushed back against Kazakhstan’s claims, saying its strikes were aimed solely at "repelling full-scale Russian aggression" and not at harming third countries.
"Ukraine hits back at the aggressor," Ukraine’s foreign ministry said, insisting that the operation targeted Russian infrastructure supporting the war effort.
Kyiv has intensified strikes on Russian refineries, oil depots and export terminals this year in an effort to weaken Moscow’s wartime revenues. Ukrainian officials say these attacks are legitimate military targets amid Russia’s continued bombardment of Ukraine’s own energy network.
RUSSIA CALLS STRIKES 'TERRORISM'
Russia denounced the latest attack, calling Ukrainian operations against infrastructure deep inside Russian territory "acts of terrorism." Moscow has accused Western intelligence agencies of helping Kyiv identify strategic targets, claiming the strikes endanger civilian shipping.
Russian officials also warned that repeated drone strikes threaten freedom of navigation across the Black Sea, where both military and commercial vessels operate in proximity.
The CPC pipeline runs more than 1,500 kilometres from Kazakh oilfields at Tengiz, Karachaganak and Kashagan to the Black Sea. While the system primarily transports Kazakh crude, it also handles oil from Russian producers clustered near the export route.
- Ends
With inputs from agencies
Published By:
Satyam Singh
Published On:
Dec 1, 2025
