Ukrainian drones strike Russian oil platforms in Caspian Sea

Ukrainian security service (SBU) drones have targeted Russian oil extraction facilities in the Caspian Sea for the third time in a week, according to sources.

The long-range drones, operated by the SBU’s Alpha Special Operations Centre, reportedly struck a platform belonging to Lukoil-Nizhnevolzhskneft at the Korchagin oil and gas condensate field, Caliber.Az reports, citing Ukrainian media.

The attack damaged critical equipment, halting production at the site.

Earlier in the week, on December 11 and 12, SBU drones had already struck platforms at the Filanovsky and Korchagin fields. The Filanovsky field is among the largest discovered in Russia’s Caspian sector, with estimated reserves of 129 million tonnes of oil and around 30 billion cubic metres of gas.

A source familiar with the SBU’s operations said: “The SBU continues active efforts to reduce oil revenue flowing into Russia’s budget, thereby limiting its ability to fund the war against Ukraine. No Russian facility contributing to the war is safe, regardless of location.”

On the morning of December 12, it was reported that SBU drones had halted production at a Caspian oil platform for the first time. Later that day, the service launched a second strike, temporarily suspending operations at additional Russian oil facilities in the region.

By Aghakazim Guliyev