Russia Accuses Ukraine of Pipeline Attack

Russia alleges that Ukraine launched a drone attack overnight on the Russkaya compressor station, a critical facility for the TurkStream gas pipeline. The incident occurred between 00:40 and 01:00 local time, according to a statement released by energy giant Gazprom.

Details of the Alleged Attack

Gazprom reported that three fixed-wing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) were used in the attack. However, the company stated that the attack was successfully repelled through the combined efforts of the Russian Defence Ministry and mobile operational groups.

No Disruption to Gas Supplies

Gazprom confirmed that the Russkaya compressor station continued to operate normally following the attempted attack. Crucially, the company emphasized that the incident did not disrupt gas supplies to Türkiye or Europe.

TurkStream and Blue Stream Pipelines

Russia delivers natural gas to Türkiye via two major pipelines traversing the Black Sea: the Blue Stream and TurkStream pipelines. The Blue Stream pipeline, operational since early 2003, has a capacity of 16 billion cubic meters and spans 1,213 kilometers.

TurkStream Pipeline Capacity and Route

The TurkStream pipeline, which began operations in January 2020, consists of two lines. One line delivers gas directly to Turkish consumers, while the second line transports gas to Southern and Southeastern European countries. The pipeline boasts a total capacity of 31.5 billion cubic meters.

Currently, TurkStream is the sole remaining active route for Russian gas deliveries to Europe, as transit through Ukraine has ceased. The Russkaya compressor station, located near Anapa, serves as the starting point for the TurkStream pipeline.