Kazakhstan Slams Ukraine for Drone Strike on CPC Oil Terminal Handling 1% of Global Supply

Kazakhstan has sharply condemned Ukraine for launching repeated drone strikes on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal in Novorossiysk, a crucial Black Sea facility that handles more than 1% of global oil supply. The latest attack on November 29 forced the suspension of all loading operations, disrupting one of the world’s major crude export routes.

The CPC—which counts Kazakhstan, Russia, Chevron, ExxonMobil and Lukoil among its shareholders—reported that a key offshore loading buoy, Single-Point Mooring 2, suffered significant damage during a Ukrainian naval drone strike. Tankers were ordered to withdraw, halting exports.

The pipeline system is vital to Kazakhstan’s economy, carrying 80% of the country’s oil and transporting 68.6 million tonnes of crude in 2024.

Kazakhstan Calls Attack “Deliberate”, Warns of Diplomatic Fallout

Kazakhstan’s foreign ministry protested strongly, calling it the third targeted strike on the civilian terminal this year.

The ministry said:
“Another deliberate attack on the critical infrastructure of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium harms bilateral relations between Kazakhstan and Ukraine.”

Kazakhstan urged Kyiv to prevent further strikes, arguing that the CPC facility is protected under international law as a civilian installation.

The pipeline operator also stated that damage to the loading buoy makes continued operation impossible and argued:
“An attack on CPC infrastructure is an attack on the interests of all CPC member countries.”

Ukraine Responds: “We Target Only Russian Military Infrastructure”

Ukraine rejected accusations of targeting Kazakh assets, saying its strikes aim solely to degrade Russian capabilities supporting the war effort. Kyiv maintains that the Novorossiysk port infrastructure facilitates Russian military logistics and revenue generation.

Ukrainian forces have escalated strikes this year on Russian refineries, oil depots and export terminals, aiming to weaken Moscow’s wartime finances amid Russia’s sustained attacks on Ukraine’s own energy grid.

Russia Calls Operation ‘Terrorism’, Warns of Black Sea Risks

Russia denounced the drone strikes as “acts of terrorism”, accusing Western intelligence agencies of helping Ukraine identify high-value targets.

Moscow warned that repeated strikes jeopardise Black Sea maritime safety for both military and commercial vessels.

The 1,500 km CPC pipeline transports crude from Kazakhstan’s Tengiz, Kashagan and Karachaganak fields to the Black Sea, while also carrying some Russian oil.

As the damage assessment continues, global oil markets are closely watching the disruption of one of Eurasia’s most important energy corridors.