Peskov calls strikes on CPC energy terrorism and an attack on the US and Kazakhstan

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov has stated that Ukrainian Armed Forces strikes on infrastructure in the Azov and Black Seas, including attacks on the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), constitute energy terrorism.

This was reported by TASS.

“This is, obviously, energy (terrorism): what they are doing in the Black Sea, what they are doing in the Azov Sea — these are terrorist attacks, international terrorist attacks, potentially extremely dangerous,” Peskov said.

The spokesman also stated that strikes on CPC infrastructure should be viewed as an attack not only on Russia but also on the United States and Kazakhstan — since American companies are among the consortium’s shareholders. According to him, the topic may be raised during talks between Vladimir Putin and Kazakhstani leader Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, scheduled for July 25 in Omsk.

Attacks on CPC facilities began on July 19. That morning, the consortium’s marine terminal was struck and suspended loading operations. Two sea tankers were hit — the ASIA, carrying oil belonging to Tengizchevroil (Chevron), and the NISSOS IOS, carrying oil from Kashagan B.V. and Maten (JSC NC KazMunayGas). In the early hours of July 20, the civilian tanker NELSA was attacked in the waters of the same terminal — a fire broke out on deck and in its compartments. Three days earlier, the CPC had confirmed an attack on the tanker Nordic Zenith in the Black Sea: the vessel was unable to begin loading oil.

Kazakhstan’s Foreign Ministry characterized the attacks as an encroachment on the country’s interests and stated that it reserves the right to seek compensation through international legal mechanisms. Kazakhstan’s Ministry of Energy reduced oil production in connection with the attacks and the inability to ship oil through the pipeline.

The administration of US President Donald Trump warned Ukraine against attacking vessels in the Black Sea that do not belong to Russia, The Wall Street Journal reported. The outlet’s source described the CPC as “a critical channel for supplying energy of Kazakhstani origin to European markets, serving as an alternative to Russian energy.”