Greek-run tanker attacked after loading Russian-origin oil
A Greek-run oil tanker was attacked in the Black Sea after loading a Russian-origin cargo at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium terminal near the southern Russian port city of Novorossiysk, Bloomberg reported Monday, citing people familiar with the incident.
The Suezmax-class Skiros, capable of carrying about 1 million barrels of oil, was attacked on Sunday after loading at the CPC terminal.
The company said there were no injuries and no pollution resulting from the incident, according to the report, but declined to provide further details.
The attack was reportedly the first targeting a vessel calling at the CPC terminal in nearly three weeks.
Ukraine-linked attacks had paused
The incident comes after an apparent pause in attacks on oil tankers using the CPC terminal.
The Financial Times reported that Ukrainian officials and people familiar with the matter said Kyiv had halted attacks on tankers operating from the Novorossiysk terminal after US Vice President JD Vance asked Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy during a July 31 phone call to stop such attacks.
Russia and Kazakhstan had previously condemned what they described as Ukrainian drone attacks on vessels loading oil at the CPC marine terminal.
Kyiv has acknowledged carrying out some attacks, saying strikes against Russian energy infrastructure are intended to reduce Moscow’s ability to finance its war against Ukraine.
Kazakhstan oil exports complicate targeting
The CPC terminal is a major export route for Kazakh oil, making attacks on vessels and infrastructure there particularly sensitive.
Earlier this month, Bloomberg reported, citing a US official, that Ukraine had agreed not to target certain non-Russian oil tankers and Black Sea infrastructure considered critical to Kazakhstan’s oil exports.
The reported understanding followed July 31 discussions between senior US officials and Ukrainian leaders.
The latest attack raises fresh questions over the security of commercial shipping in the Black Sea and the extent to which vessels carrying Russian-origin or Kazakh-linked oil may become targets as the war continues.
Source-Photo:AA
