Drone Strike Disrupts Kazakhstan Oil Exports, Targets Russian Pipeline

A Ukrainian drone strike on the Kropotkinskaya pumping station of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) in southern Russia has disrupted Kazakhstan's primary oil export route, potentially reducing flows by 30% and impacting global oil markets. The attack, which involved seven drones and has been labeled an act of terrorism by CPC, has halted operations at the station and is expected to lead to a rise in oil prices. While CPC did not directly attribute the strike to Ukraine, an official from Ukraine's SBU claimed responsibility, stating the facilities were used to support Russian military operations. This incident marks the first time Ukrainian drones have targeted energy infrastructure associated with Western oil companies such as Chevron and ExxonMobil, complicating U.S. oil diplomacy. The disruption comes just before U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio's scheduled talks with Russian officials in Saudi Arabia regarding the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Transneft estimates that repairs could take up to two months, further adding to the uncertainty in global oil supply chains.