The Kremlin has accused Ukraine of committing “energy terrorism” and endangering Europe’s energy security following an alleged drone strike on a key Russian gas pipeline supplying Turkey and parts of Europe.
Alleged Drone Strike on TurkStream Pipeline
On Monday, Russia’s defense ministry claimed that nine Ukrainian drones targeted a gas compressor station in Gai-Kodzor, a village near Russia’s Black Sea coast opposite Crimea. The facility is a crucial component of the TurkStream pipeline, which delivers Russian gas to Turkey and other European nations.
🔹 Moscow’s Claims: The Russian defense ministry stated that all nine drones were intercepted, though falling debris caused “minor damage” to the facility. However, gas supplies were not affected.
🔹 Kyiv’s Response: Ukrainian officials have remained silent on the allegations.
Russia’s Accusations & Energy Disputes
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov called the attack a continuation of Ukraine’s energy war, blaming Kyiv and its Western allies:
🗣 “This is Kyiv’s long-standing policy of energy terrorism, orchestrated by its overseas allies.”
Peskov further warned that such actions threaten European energy consumers, emphasizing that Russian officials had already discussed the incident with Turkey’s foreign minister and Gazprom executives.
Tensions Over Energy Escalate
This latest development follows a series of energy disputes between Russia and Ukraine since Moscow’s 2022 full-scale invasion:
🔹 Ukraine Ends Russian Gas Transit: On January 1, Kyiv officially halted Russian gas transit through Ukrainian territory—a move aimed at cutting off Moscow’s energy revenues.
🔹 U.S. Sanctions on Russian Oil: Last week, Washington imposed fresh sanctions on Russia’s oil sector, delivering another blow to Moscow’s hydrocarbon industry.
Ongoing Attacks on Energy Infrastructure
Since 2022, Russia has repeatedly targeted Ukraine’s energy facilities, causing widespread power outages. Meanwhile, Ukraine has also been hitting Russian energy assets, including Crimean military bases and oil depots.
With Europe’s energy stability at stake, this latest pipeline attack allegation marks a potential flashpoint in the Russia-Ukraine conflict—one that could have far-reaching consequences for global energy markets.
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