Ukraine hits Russian oil platform in the Caspian Sea for the first time

Long-range drones operated by Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) struck the Filanovsky oil platform owned by LUKOIL-Nizhnevolzhskneft, marking the first Ukrainian attack on Russia’s oil and gas infrastructure in the Caspian Sea, Ukrainian media reported, citing SBU sources.

According to the sources, at least four impacts were recorded on the offshore platform, causing oil and gas extraction from more than 20 wells to halt.

Ukrainian outlets note that the Filanovsky field is among the largest in Russia’s Caspian sector, holding an estimated 129 million tonnes of oil and 30 bcm of gas. Production was exported via the Caspian Pipeline Consortium.

An SBU source said operations targeting Russia’s energy sector will continue to expand: “The blast in the Caspian Sea is another reminder to Russia that any facility supporting its war effort is a legitimate target, no matter where it is located.”