Ukraine Attacks Greek Tanker Skiros Carrying Russian Oil

The Greek tanker Skiros was attacked in the Black Sea after loading Russian oil at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal near Novorossiysk. The strike on the tanker occurred on the evening of August 16, marking the first attack on a CPC vessel in nearly three weeks. The Suezmax-class tanker can carry about 1 million barrels of oil. The CPC is used for exporting Kazakh oil; however, this time the tanker loaded a Russian shipment. The operator of the tanker from Athens reported that no one was injured and there was no pollution as a result of the incident. Earlier, Ukraine agreed to refrain from attacking CPC infrastructure and non-Russian vessels unless they are under sanctions and carrying Russian cargo. The CPC is a key route for exporting Kazakh oil, and disruptions in its operation affect Kazakh exports and buyers in the Mediterranean. At the end of July, Kazakhstan suspended oil supplies to the CPC terminal due to threats of attacks on tankers.