Key Russian Oil Terminal Damaged
Operations at a significant Russian oil terminal near the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk were halted on Saturday, November 29, 2025, after a sea drone attack caused substantial damage. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which owns the terminal, confirmed that its Single Mooring Point 2 (SMP-2) sustained critical damage, rendering it inoperable. The attack occurred at approximately 4:06 a.m. Moscow time (01:06 GMT).
The CPC described the incident as a 'targeted terrorist attack by unmanned boats.' Automated safety systems were activated, shutting off relevant pipelines and preventing any oil spills into the Black Sea. No injuries to CPC or contractor staff were reported. The terminal's operations are suspended indefinitely, pending repairs and the lifting of drone threats.
Impact on Global Oil Supplies and Kazakh Exports
The Novorossiysk terminal is a crucial hub for oil exports, particularly for Kazakhstan. The CPC pipeline, which originates in Kazakhstan, transports a significant portion of the country's crude oil to the Black Sea for global distribution. This facility handles around 1.5 million barrels per day, equating to approximately 1.5% of the global oil supply.
Following the attack, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Energy announced it was urgently seeking alternative routes for its oil exports to minimize negative consequences and maintain production levels from major fields such as Tengiz, Kashagan, and Karachaganak.
Attribution and Broader Context
While Ukrainian officials did not immediately claim responsibility for the November 29 attack, a Ukrainian security service (SBU) official later confirmed that Ukraine carried out the strike using domestically produced Sea Baby naval drones. The official stated that one of the three oil tanker berths of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium in the Novorossiysk area was destroyed.
This incident is part of an ongoing series of strikes targeting Russian energy infrastructure. Ukrainian forces have intensified long-range attacks on Russian energy facilities, aiming to impair Russia's oil export capabilities and reduce its funding for the conflict. Russia has condemned these actions as acts of terrorism.
The attack on the Novorossiysk terminal occurred hours before a Ukrainian delegation was scheduled to travel to the United States for talks aimed at ending the conflict.
5 Comments
Comandante
Finally, some real consequences for their actions. This is effective.
Bermudez
While cutting off Russia's war funding is a clear objective, targeting energy infrastructure always risks wider economic instability and could hurt innocent countries like Kazakhstan.
Africa
It's understandable that Ukraine would target Russian assets to defend itself, but the impact on Kazakhstan's exports and global oil supply is a concerning side effect that needs consideration.
Coccinella
Targeting oil infrastructure is a war crime, plain and simple.
Muchacho
This is how you cripple their funding. More of this, please.