**Russia‘s Oil Transport System Hit by Drone Attack**
A drone attack has damaged an oil pumping station in Russia’s Krasnodar Krai. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium said on March 24 that the Kavkazskaya oil pumping station is no longer suitable for oil transportation.
The attack happened overnight on March 19, according to Moscow. Ukrainian drones damaged infrastructure and ignited a fire at the station. Firefighters have been battling the fire for five days. The fire has spread to 2,000 square meters, with one of the storage tanks still burning.
**Previous Attacks**
This is not the first time Ukraine’s drones have targeted Russia’s oil facilities. On February 17, Ukrainian drones hit the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station, which is part of the Caspian Pipeline Consortium system. The attack took the station out of operation, and its shutdown reduced the volume of annual anticipated transportation.
**Restoration Work**
The consortium is continuing restoration work at the Kropotkinskaya station. However, following the destruction of the Kavkazskaya station, it will not be possible to transport oil through this route in the foreseeable future.
**Russian Invasion**
Ukraine has been carrying out attacks on Russian refineries, oil depots, and defense industry facilities to disrupt Moscow’s ability to sustain its full-scale invasion. The reported attack came shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed to have ordered a pause on strikes against energy infrastructure.
**Global Response**
Over 30 countries have expressed willingness to contribute to the coalition’s peacekeeping force. However, Romania and Bulgaria are wary of a possible deal between the U.S. and Russia that could restore Moscow’s influence in the Black Sea.
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