Russian energy giant Gazprom reported Wednesday that Ukrainian forces have repeatedly attacked infrastructure critical to the operation of the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines, which supply natural gas to Turkey and southeastern Europe. The company alleges 12 attacks have occurred over the past two weeks, the latest involving a drone targeting the Russkaya compressor station in the Krasnodar region.
Gazprom stated that facilities including the Beregovaya and Kazachya compressor stations, also in the Krasnodar region, were targeted by drones the previous day. According to the company, all attacks were “repelled” and the pipelines continue to operate, ensuring the reliability of gas exports. “These facilities are part of critical energy infrastructure,” Gazprom said in a statement.
Russia’s Defense Ministry corroborated the claims, reporting that air defenses destroyed 10 drones over the Russkaya station and 14 over the Beregovaya station overnight. The ministry asserted the attacks aimed to disrupt gas supplies to European consumers, according to state news agencies.
The TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines represent key remaining routes for Russian gas exports to Europe following significant disruptions caused by the war in Ukraine, which began in 2022. Most other pipeline routes have been severed as a result of the conflict.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov described the reported attacks as “very alarming,” stating that Russia had previously warned Turkey about potential sabotage attempts targeting the pipelines. “The significance of these routes is tough to overestimate in terms of the continent’s energy security,” Peskov said, particularly given current disruptions in global energy markets linked to tensions involving Iran.
President Vladimir Putin stated in February that Russia possessed “operational information” indicating Ukraine was planning to sabotage the TurkStream and Blue Stream pipelines. At the time, Putin suggested such actions were intended to undermine diplomatic efforts to resolve the conflict in Ukraine.
The reported attacks occur amid heightened tensions in global energy markets, exacerbated by recent events in the Middle East. Putin on Monday reiterated Russia’s willingness to supply oil and gas to European buyers, warning that a potential blockade of the Strait of Hormuz could severely impact Middle Eastern oil production and trigger inflation and industrial disruptions across Europe.
