Russia Downs Nine Ukrainian Drones Targeting TurkStream Gas Pipeline
Russia announced on Monday that it had successfully intercepted nine Ukrainian drones attempting to attack a key infrastructure component of the TurkStream gas pipeline. The TurkStream pipeline serves as a vital conduit for Russian gas exports to Turkey and Europe.
The Russian defence ministry disclosed that the attempted attack targeted a compressor station located in the Krasnodar region of southern Russia. Fortunately, the station sustained no significant damage, and operations continued without any casualties reported.
While Reuters could not independently verify the incident, Ukraine has not issued any immediate response to the allegations made by Russia.
Both the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines, which traverse the Black Sea to reach Turkey, represent critical gas supply routes for Russia to deliver natural gas to European markets. This significance has only heightened following Ukraine’s decision earlier this year to terminate a longstanding transit agreement with Russia, affecting the flow of gas through Ukrainian territory.
According to the Russian defence ministry’s statement, debris from one of the downed drones caused minor damage to the infrastructure of a gas metering station at the compressor site. However, prompt action by emergency teams ensured swift repairs to the affected equipment.
The TurkStream pipeline originates from the Russkaya compressor station near Anapa, Russia, and extends to Kıyıköy in Turkey before continuing its journey into Europe. Compressor stations play a crucial role in maintaining stable gas pressure and flow rates along the pipeline route.
(Source: Reuters – Reporting by Volodya Soldatkin; Writing by Lucy Papachristou; Editing by Mark Trevelyan)