Russia has accused Ukraine of launching a drone attack on the TurkStream gas pipeline, a critical conduit for Russian gas to Europe, raising tensions over energy security in the region.
At a Glance
- Russia claims Ukraine targeted TurkStream with drones
- Türkiye confirms attack but reports no gas disruption
- TurkStream now sole route for Russian gas to Europe
- Russia shared evidence with Türkiye and EU nations
- Ukraine has not publicly addressed the allegations
Russia Alleges Ukrainian Drone Attack on TurkStream
On January 11, 2025, Russia reported that nine Ukrainian drones targeted the Russkaya compressor station in the Krasnodar region—an essential component of the TurkStream pipeline. The Russian Defense Ministry labeled the incident an act of “energy terrorism,” alleging it was meant to disrupt the flow of gas to Europe, according to coverage by Middle East Eye.
Following the incident, Russia compiled and submitted a diplomatic dossier to Türkiye containing maps, drone trajectory data, and other materials that it claims show Ukraine’s involvement. Türkiye reportedly reviewed the materials, and Russia has also shared similar documentation with several European countries, as detailed by Türkiye Today.
Watch Middle East Eye’s report on the incident at Russia hands Turkey ‘evidence’ of Ukrainian attacks on TurkStream pipeline.
Türkiye Confirms Attack, Ensures Gas Flow Unaffected
Turkish Energy and Natural Resources Minister Alparslan Bayraktar confirmed that an attack occurred but emphasized that there was “no interruption in gas flow.” He affirmed that the pipeline continues to function at full capacity and highlighted its critical role in Türkiye’s strategy to become a regional energy hub, as reported by Türkiye Today.
Despite Russia’s allegations of targeted sabotage, Türkiye’s inspection found only minor damage to infrastructure with no operational consequences. As tensions mount between Russia and Ukraine, Türkiye has so far maintained a neutral public stance.
TurkStream’s Strategic Importance Amid Geopolitical Tensions
With Russian gas no longer flowing through Ukraine as of early 2025, TurkStream has become the only route for Russian natural gas exports to Europe. Former BOTAS General Manager Gokhan Yardim emphasized that “by 2025, TurkStream remains the only pipeline route supplying Russian natural gas to Europe through Türkiye,” as noted in Türkiye Today.
The pipeline’s two 15.75 billion cubic meter lines serve dual purposes—one supplying Türkiye directly, and the other transporting gas to European markets via Bulgaria’s Strandzha entry point. Its centrality in regional gas logistics underscores its vulnerability in times of geopolitical strife.
International Reactions and Ongoing Investigations
Hungarian Foreign Minister Peter Szijjarto responded to the allegations by warning that an attack on TurkStream represents an attack on the energy sovereignty of countries dependent on it, reinforcing the broader international implications, as mentioned in Middle East Eye.
The pipeline dispute emerges amid broader accusations from both Russia and Ukraine of ceasefire violations concerning critical infrastructure. While Russia insists the drones were Ukrainian “kamikaze” models, Ukraine’s military has dismissed the claims as “fake,” leaving the situation politically volatile and diplomatically fraught.
As tensions rise, Türkiye continues to position itself as both mediator and energy corridor, navigating a high-stakes balancing act between Moscow and Kyiv
