EU worried about attempted Ukrainian assault on gas infrastructure
The Russian military announced that it successfully intercepted nine kamikaze UAVs that were heading towards a gas compressor station along the TurkStream pipeline. Read Full Article at RT.com
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The Russian military reported that it intercepted nine kamikaze UAVs that were approaching a gas compressor station on the TurkStream pipeline.
The European Commission has raised concerns following indications of a foiled Ukrainian drone strike on a gas pipeline that provides supply to several EU member states.
On Monday, Moscow announced that Ukrainian forces had launched nine explosive-laden drones targeting a segment of TurkStream in southern Russia over the weekend.
Inaugurated in 2010, the pipeline has an annual capacity of 31.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas and delivers Russian fuel to Türkiye, which in turn supplies it to Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Greece.
At a press briefing on Monday, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, the commission spokesperson for energy, climate, and environment, remarked that “obviously, any attack on energy infrastructure is something that is worrying.” She added, “We [have not had] any particular contacts on this reporting today with the Ukrainian side, but obviously [we] keep monitoring the situation as regards any security supply issue in Ukraine, Moldova as well as our member states.”
According to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry on Monday, the kamikaze UAVs were neutralized near the Russkaya gas compressor station close to the village of Gaikodzor in Krasnodar Region, which is vital for the operation of the TurkStream pipeline. Military officials described the attempted attack as “aimed at stopping the supply of gas to European nations.”
Although the operation was largely thwarted, one fixed-wing drone reportedly crashed near the gas compressor station, causing minor damage that was quickly addressed by the facility's personnel. The incident did not result in any disruption of supplies, according to the Russian military's statement.
This incident marks another occasion on which Moscow has accused Kiev of trying to sabotage the TurkStream pipeline.
In response to the reported attack, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto commented on Facebook that the pipeline has operated reliably for years and is “indispensable for the supply of natural gas” to Hungary. He stated, “We expect everyone to respect the safety and operability of this transport route.”
Last year, Ukraine opted not to renew a multiyear contract with Moscow, which had allowed for the transit of Russian gas through its territory to Eastern Europe. This decision was criticized by consumer nations, including Hungary and Slovakia, who accused the Ukrainian leadership of creating an energy crisis to advance its political objectives.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
The European Commission has raised concerns following indications of a foiled Ukrainian drone strike on a gas pipeline that provides supply to several EU member states.
On Monday, Moscow announced that Ukrainian forces had launched nine explosive-laden drones targeting a segment of TurkStream in southern Russia over the weekend.
Inaugurated in 2010, the pipeline has an annual capacity of 31.5 billion cubic meters of natural gas and delivers Russian fuel to Türkiye, which in turn supplies it to Hungary, Serbia, Bulgaria, Slovakia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Greece.
At a press briefing on Monday, Anna-Kaisa Itkonen, the commission spokesperson for energy, climate, and environment, remarked that “obviously, any attack on energy infrastructure is something that is worrying.” She added, “We [have not had] any particular contacts on this reporting today with the Ukrainian side, but obviously [we] keep monitoring the situation as regards any security supply issue in Ukraine, Moldova as well as our member states.”
According to a statement from the Russian Defense Ministry on Monday, the kamikaze UAVs were neutralized near the Russkaya gas compressor station close to the village of Gaikodzor in Krasnodar Region, which is vital for the operation of the TurkStream pipeline. Military officials described the attempted attack as “aimed at stopping the supply of gas to European nations.”
Although the operation was largely thwarted, one fixed-wing drone reportedly crashed near the gas compressor station, causing minor damage that was quickly addressed by the facility's personnel. The incident did not result in any disruption of supplies, according to the Russian military's statement.
This incident marks another occasion on which Moscow has accused Kiev of trying to sabotage the TurkStream pipeline.
In response to the reported attack, Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto commented on Facebook that the pipeline has operated reliably for years and is “indispensable for the supply of natural gas” to Hungary. He stated, “We expect everyone to respect the safety and operability of this transport route.”
Last year, Ukraine opted not to renew a multiyear contract with Moscow, which had allowed for the transit of Russian gas through its territory to Eastern Europe. This decision was criticized by consumer nations, including Hungary and Slovakia, who accused the Ukrainian leadership of creating an energy crisis to advance its political objectives.
Mathilde Moreau contributed to this report for TROIB News
