RT reported that on February 18, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Aleksandr Novak said that the airstrike using 7 unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that Ukraine had just carried out on February 17 damaged some important parts of the Kropotkinskaya oil pumping station in southern Russia, forcing the operator to use a backup pumping system and reduce capacity by 30-40%.
According to Mr. Novak, to completely restore the capacity of the pumping station, a major renovation will be needed due to the use of Western equipment and the repair process may take a long time.
After being reported on the damage, Russian President Vladimir Putin said the West should take responsibility for repairing the pumping station and providing all necessary equipment despite the sanctions.
Several Western companies have also invested in the facility, including Siemens (Germany) - a company that has refused to supply equipment to Russian gas pipelines under sanctions.
Mr. Putin continued to emphasize that the West benefits greatly from restoring the operation of the pumping station, but still noted that Russia will support if necessary.
The Kropotkinskaya pumping station is located in Russia's Krasnodar region, about 230 km from the port of Novorossiysk. Russia's Caspian pipeline Consortium (CPC) is the largest shareholder, with a 24% stake.
This is part of a pipeline system running from the Caspi coast in northwestern Kazakhstan to the port of Novorossiysk on the Black Sea coast of Russia, also known as the Tengiz - Novorossiysk pipeline. The pipeline carries 80% of Kazakhstan's crude oil exports.
According to CPC, after the attack, oil flow through the Tengiz - Novorossiysk pipeline is currently at a low level due to the Kropotkinskaya pumping station being bypassed.
