Russia Accuses Ukraine of ‘Reckless’ Drone Strikes on TurkStream Gas Pipeline Supplying Europe
Moscow says Kyiv attempted to halt gas flows to European consumers via attacks on critical compressor station in Krasnodar region
MOSCOW — March 13, 2026 — The Kremlin has accused Ukraine of launching “reckless” drone strikes against a major gas pipeline in southern Russia that supplies Turkey and European Union member states, warning that such attacks threaten the energy security of multiple nations reliant on Russian gas .
Russia’s Defense Ministry announced on Thursday that its air defense forces intercepted and destroyed 10 Ukrainian fixed-wing drones over the Russkaya compressor station in the Krasnodar Territory during the early hours of March 12. The facility is critical for feeding gas into the TurkStream pipeline, which runs across the Black Sea to Turkey and onwards to southeastern Europe .
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“The Kyiv regime, with the aim of halting gas supplies to European consumers, carried out an attack using fixed-wing strike drones on the Russkaya compressor station,” the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement, characterizing the strikes as a deliberate attempt to disrupt energy deliveries to Europe .
State-owned energy giant Gazprom confirmed that both the Russkaya and Beregovaya compressor stations—facilities it describes as “critical energy infrastructure ensuring the reliability of gas exports via the TurkStream and Blue Stream gas pipelines”—were targeted. The company stated that all attacks were repelled and the facilities sustained no damage .
Kremlin Condemns ‘Absolutely Reckless’ Actions
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov denounced the overnight assault during a press briefing in Moscow, emphasizing the international significance of the targeted infrastructure.
“Last night there were attempts to launch drone strikes on the Russian compressor station again. This is a coastal station that provides gas pumping via the South Stream. This is another attack on an international facility, a line of an international oil pipeline that ensures the energy security of Türkiye and a number of other countries,” Peskov told reporters. “These are absolutely reckless actions of the Kyiv regime” .
Peskov further accused Ukrainian authorities and European governments of obstructing peace efforts, describing continued pressure on Russia as “absolutely absurd” .
The Russkaya compressor station is located in the Gay-Kodzor locality of Russia’s southern Krasnodar region, an area that has frequently been targeted by Ukrainian drone strikes throughout the four-year conflict .
Strategic Importance of TurkStream
The TurkStream pipeline, which became operational in 2020, has grown significantly in strategic importance following the expiration of Russia’s gas transit agreement with Ukraine in 2025. With an annual capacity of approximately 31.5 billion cubic meters, the pipeline now serves as one of the primary remaining routes for Russian natural gas to reach European markets .
The twin pipelines run from the Russkaya compressor station near Anapa through the Black Sea to Kıyıköy in northwestern Turkey. From there, one line supplies the Turkish domestic market while the second continues to European countries including Bulgaria, Serbia, and Hungary .
Hungary, which receives approximately 8 billion cubic meters of Russian gas annually via TurkStream, responded swiftly to the reported attack. Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó said he held discussions with Russian Deputy Energy Minister Pavel Sorokin regarding the incident and accused Ukraine of seeking to impose an “energy blockade” on Budapest.
“Ukraine is already blocking our oil supplies, and now they are also targeting our gas supplies. TurkStream is vital for Hungary. If the pipeline is damaged, the gas supply security of Hungary and several Central and South-Eastern European countries will be at risk,” Szijjártó wrote on social media platform X .
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Szijjártó further alleged that the timing of the attacks—approximately one month before Hungarian parliamentary elections—represented an attempt by Ukraine to interfere in the country’s internal affairs and support opposition parties, though he provided no evidence to support this claim .
Broader Context of Energy Infrastructure Warfare
The reported strikes on TurkStream infrastructure represent the latest escalation in what has become a sustained campaign by both sides targeting each other’s energy facilities. According to Gazprom, Russian energy infrastructure in the south has faced at least 12 attacks since February 24, targeting compressor stations essential for TurkStream and Blue Stream operations .
Separately on the same day, Ukrainian forces successfully struck an oil depot in Tikhoretsk, also in the Krasnodar region, causing a fire covering 3,800 square meters, according to regional authorities. Ukrainian state media, citing sources in the Security Service of Ukraine, confirmed responsibility for that attack, describing the facility as critical for transporting oil to the port of Novorossiysk and onward to European markets .
Meanwhile, Russian forces have intensified their own strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. Serhii Koretskyi, Chairman of the Board of Ukraine’s Naftogaz Group, reported that Russian forces have been attacking oil pipeline pumping stations in southern Ukraine for two consecutive days using drones.
“For two days in a row, Russians have been attacking oil transportation infrastructure in southern Ukraine with drones… But the reason for the deliberate attacks on pumping stations in the south is obvious—to make alternative supplies of non-Russian oil to Europe impossible,” Koretskyi wrote on Facebook .
Koretskyi noted that damage and destruction were recorded at one pumping station, though no casualties were reported. Since the beginning of 2026, Russia has carried out more than 30 attacks on Naftogaz Group infrastructure facilities, according to the company chief .
Regional and Global Implications
The attacks on energy infrastructure come amid heightened tensions in global energy markets. European gas prices have shown volatility in recent weeks, influenced by multiple factors including the ongoing conflict, disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz affecting global LNG supplies, and decreasing gas storage levels across the continent .
The TurkStream route has become particularly critical for several Central and Southeastern European countries that traditionally relied on Russian gas but lost access to the Ukrainian transit route. Bulgaria, Serbia, Hungary, and North Macedonia now depend heavily on TurkStream for their natural gas supplies.
Hungary has previously blocked European Union financial support for Ukraine in response to disruptions in energy supplies. In January, Budapest blocked a €90 million credit to Ukraine following the halting of deliveries via the Druzhba pipeline, which was damaged in a Russian strike .
International Reactions
The United Nations has previously called for restraint regarding attacks on civilian energy infrastructure. In recent months, UN officials have expressed concern about the broader impact of such strikes on civilian populations, particularly as winter conditions affect millions across the region.
Neither the European Union nor NATO has issued formal statements specifically regarding the March 12 strikes on TurkStream infrastructure. However, European energy security remains a persistent concern for Brussels, particularly as the continent continues to reduce dependence on Russian energy while managing immediate supply needs.
Turkey, as the transit country and strategic partner for both Russia and Ukraine, has maintained diplomatic engagement with both parties throughout the conflict. Ankara has not issued an official response to the reported attacks on TurkStream infrastructure.
Verification and Conflicting Narratives
Ukrainian officials have not directly commented on the specific allegations regarding the TurkStream compressor station attacks. Ukraine’s military generally does not confirm or deny individual strikes deep inside Russian territory, though it has previously acknowledged responsibility for attacks on Russian energy facilities it considers legitimate military targets.
The Security Service of Ukraine confirmed responsibility for the separate strike on the Tikhoretsk oil depot, framing such attacks as part of ongoing efforts to degrade Russian military logistics and reduce revenue funding Moscow’s war effort .
Russian officials have consistently characterized Ukrainian strikes on energy infrastructure as “terrorist attacks” and violations of international norms regarding critical civilian infrastructure.
Current Situation
As of March 13, gas flows through the TurkStream pipeline continue uninterrupted, according to Gazprom. Russian emergency services remain on heightened alert at energy facilities across the Krasnodar region, and air defense systems in the area have been activated in response to continuing drone threats.
The Russkaya compressor station, which Russian officials say has been targeted multiple times in recent weeks, continues operations while reinforced security measures remain in place .
The incident underscores the expanding scope of the conflict’s energy dimension, with both sides demonstrating capability and willingness to strike infrastructure far beyond front lines. For European nations dependent on remaining Russian gas routes, the attacks raise urgent questions about the security of critical energy supply chains amid ongoing hostilities.
Verification Note
WNS could not independently verify claims from either side.
SOURCES / INPUTS
Anadolu Ajansı: Russia accuses Ukraine of targeting TurkStream gas infrastructure
RBC-Ukraine: Russia attacks southern Ukraine to block non-Russian oil routes to EU
The Hindu: Russia accuses Ukraine of ‘reckless’ strikes on major gas pipeline
Asharq Al-Awsat: Kremlin Accuses Ukraine of ‘Reckless’ Strikes on Major Gas Pipeline
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