Russia reports thwarting Ukrainian drone attack on Turkstream pipeline
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Following the incident, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to take steps to prevent future attacks.
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Russian natural gas pipelines (AP)
Russia has accused Ukraine of attempting to target a key compressor station along the TurkStream pipeline, a crucial energy corridor transporting Russian natural gas to Europe via Turkey.
The Russian Defense Ministry on Saturday stated that its air defenses intercepted and neutralized three Ukrainian drones before they could reach the Russkaya station in the Krasnodar region.
"In repelling the attack, Russian air defences downed three Ukrainian drones at a safe distance from the compressor station," the ministry confirmed. It added that gas transmission through the pipeline remains unaffected.
The assault on the TurkStream pipeline, one of the last remaining Russian energy supply routes to Europe, has raised concerns in Moscow, Ankara, and Budapest.
Following the incident, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov urged Turkey's Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to take steps to prevent future attacks. According to Russia's foreign ministry, Fidan pledged to do so.
🇷🇺🇹🇷📞 1 марта состоялся телефонный разговор С.В.Лаврова с главой МИД Турции @HakanFidan.
— МИД России 🇷🇺 (@MID_RF) March 1, 2025
С.В.Лавров сообщил, что в ночь с 27 на 28 февраля киевский режим предпринял попытку атаки компрессорной станции «Русская» на газопроводе «Турецкий поток».
🔗 https://t.co/tgM0fDgLi9 pic.twitter.com/G2vna3BcSB
Hungary voices concerns over energy security
Hungary, which heavily depends on Russian gas delivered through TurkStream, responded to the incident with alarm.
Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó confirmed that Lavrov personally informed him of the attempted strike. He stressed the strategic importance of the pipeline for his country's energy supply.
"The operation of TurkStream is critical to Hungary's energy security," Szijjártó stated, calling on the European Union to ensure the protection of infrastructure tied to the 27-member bloc.
Read more: Slovakia calls on EU to pressure Ukraine to resume Russian gas transit
The attack comes amid intensifying drone warfare between Ukraine and Russia, with Kiev increasing its efforts to disrupt Russian military and economic assets.
If confirmed, the targeting of TurkStream infrastructure could heighten tensions between Ukraine and NATO-member Turkey, which has positioned itself as a mediator in the conflict.
