Kazakhstan Condemns Drone Attacks on Black Sea Oil Tankers

The Government of Kazakhstan condemned a series of drone attacks on civilian oil tankers operating through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) infrastructure in the Black Sea between July 17 and July 20, 2026. The attacks targeted three vessels near Novorossiysk, Russia, including an empty tanker on July 17 and two oil-laden tankers, the Asia and Nissos Ios, on July 19. A fire broke out on the Asia but was extinguished without casualties or oil spills.

Following a brief resumption of operations, a third attack occurred on July 20 targeting the tanker Nelsa. A drone struck the stern of the vessel, causing deck and compartment fires that forced the evacuation of 22 crew members via CPC tugs. The CPC suspended oil loading at its terminal in response to the strikes, characterizing the incidents as acts of aggression against civilian facilities.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Kazakhstan described the strikes as an unacceptable infringement on its economic interests and a deliberate attempt to destabilize global energy markets. Kazakh officials expressed concern that an agreed-upon information-sharing mechanism for civilian vessels was ignored, endangering crews. While one report identified Ukraine as the actor behind the strikes, the Ukrainian government has not commented. Kazakhstan is currently assessing damages and reserves the right to seek compensation under international law.