U.S. urges Kyiv to halt attacks on non-Russian tankers after Black Sea drone strikes

Ukrainian drone strikes on civilian tankers near Russia’s Novorossiysk port have temporarily halted loadings at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal, threatening the export of Kazakh oil and drawing sharp condemnation from Astana as well as a direct appeal from the Trump administration to curb attacks on non-Russian vessels.

The incidents, which occurred on 17 and 19 July 2026, targeted tankers loading Kazakh crude at the CPC marine terminal. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium, which transports oil from Kazakhstan’s major fields (including Tengiz and Kashagan) to the Black Sea, accounts for roughly 80% of the country’s oil exports and handles nearly 2% of global supply. The consortium includes major Western companies such as ExxonMobil and Chevron.

Caspian Pipeline Consortium oil loadings suspended after drone attacks on tankers

According to the Kazakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the attacks represent “an unacceptable infringement upon the economic interests of the Republic of Kazakhstan” and deliberate acts aimed at destabilising international trade, global energy markets, and supply chains. Astana expressed particular concern that a previously agreed mechanism for exchanging information on civilian vessels was disregarded, endangering crews.

“Kazakhstan demands an immediate halt to these attacks and the adoption of comprehensive measures to ensure the security of the infrastructure used for the export of Kazakh hydrocarbons,” the ministry stated, urging partner countries to condemn the strikes and develop practical safeguards. Kazakhstan is assessing damages and reserves the right to seek compensation under international law.

The statement by Astana doesn’t mention Ukraine. Kyiv has not publicly claimed responsibility and has remained largely silent on the specific incidents involving the CPC terminal.

But the WSJ reported that the Trump administration urged Kyiv on Tuesday to curb attacks on non-Russian ships, according to a White House official, after the barrage of strikes on ships in the waters near the port of Novorossiysk.

A broad pattern of disruptions

These Black Sea incidents form part of a wider pattern of disruptions to global oil supplies. The WSJ highlighted simultaneous risks in the Red Sea, where Yemen’s Houthi militants threatened a blockade of Saudi Arabia, prompting some tankers to divert from the Bab al-Mandeb strait. Brent crude rose about 2% to around $91 per barrel on Tuesday amid the combined pressures.

For Kazakhstan, the CPC route is critical. Repeated attacks on the terminal and associated tankers (this being at least the fifth reported incident) pose a direct threat to its non-sanctioned oil exports, which rely on the consortium’s infrastructure. The Kazakh statement emphasised adherence to international law and freedom of navigation.

Despite several European countries being major clients of Kazakh oil transported via the CPC route, neither individual EU member states nor EU institutions have issued any public reaction to the recent drone attacks on the tankers. Conversely, U.S. officials have pushed for restraint to protect global energy flows and Western commercial interests in the CPC.

Caption: An undated view of the shores next to the Novorossiysk CPC terminal. [CPC website]