Nairobi: Kazakhstan on Sunday condemned what it said were Ukrainian drone attacks on civilian vessels transporting crude oil through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium export system in the Black Sea, calling the incidents an attack on the country's economic interests and a threat to global energy supplies.

According to Anadolu Agency, Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry stated that the attacks, which occurred on July 17 and July 19, targeted vessels carrying oil through the CPC infrastructure. The ministry described these incidents as deliberate actions aimed at destabilizing global energy markets, lawful international trade, and the security of global transport and logistics supply chains.

The Foreign Ministry emphasized that a previously agreed mechanism for exchanging information on civilian vessels entering the Black Sea to load oil at CPC terminals was ignored, thus putting the civilian crews at risk. Kazakhstan has called for an immediate halt to these drone attacks and urged partner countries to condemn the incidents, inviting interested parties to develop practical measures to prevent similar attacks in the future.

Kazakhstan is currently assessing the damage and reserves the right to pursue all available mechanisms under international law, including seeking compensation if warranted. The country reiterated its commitment to the peaceful settlement of disputes, adherence to international law, freedom of navigation, and the reliable operation of international transport, logistics, and energy routes.

The Caspian Pipeline Consortium reported that a drone attack on its Black Sea terminal near Novorossiysk forced it to suspend oil loading. Two tankers were targeted on July 19, and another was struck on July 17, resulting in a fire but no casualties or oil spill. Ukraine has not commented on the incidents, although it has previously indicated that it targets Russian energy infrastructure.