Russia Claims Ukraine Drones Targeted Gas Pipeline

On January 11, Russia reported that Ukrainian drones attempted to strike the Russkaya compressor station, which is essential for the TurkStream pipeline transporting gas to Turkey and Europe. The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed that all nine drones were intercepted by air defenses, resulting in only minor damage to the facility and no casualties among personnel. Emergency response teams from Gazprom swiftly addressed the damage, ensuring uninterrupted operations of the compressor station. Moscow accused Ukraine of trying to disrupt gas supplies to European countries, although Ukrainian officials have yet to respond to these claims. The incident reflects ongoing tensions between Russia and Ukraine, particularly over energy infrastructure amid the ongoing conflict. The TurkStream pipeline remains a critical route for Russian gas following the cessation of transit through Ukraine earlier this year.