Ukrainian forces have carried out targeted operations against Russian oil drilling platforms in the Caspian Sea, disrupting hydrocarbon extraction at key sites. The strikes mark a significant escalation in energy-related military activity beyond Europe's Eastern front.
- Two Russian offshore oil platforms in the Caspian Sea targeted: LSP-1 and adjacent production unit
- Korchagin oil field has peak capacity of 2.3 million tonnes oil and 1.2 bcm gas condensate annually
- Production halted for at least 72 hours; full recovery expected in over a month
- Brent crude futures rose 2.4%; European natural gas benchmarks rose 1.6%
- Platforms built at Astrakhansky Korabel shipyard, operated by LUKOIL
- Strikes represent a strategic expansion of Ukraine’s kinetic operations into energy infrastructure
Ukrainian military units have launched coordinated attacks on two Russian-owned oil drilling platforms in the northern Caspian Sea, specifically targeting infrastructure located within the Korchagin oil field. The operations, conducted under cover of night, focused on the LSP-1 fixed platform and an adjacent offshore production unit, both operated by LUKOIL. The Korchagin field, situated approximately 180 kilometers from the Russian port city of Astrakhan, is designed to process up to 2.3 million tonnes of oil and 1.2 billion cubic meters of gas condensate annually at peak capacity. The strike disrupted ongoing extraction and pre-treatment operations, with assessments indicating that production at the site has been halted for at least 72 hours. The platforms, built at the Astrakhansky Korabel shipyard, are part of a larger Russian offshore development program in the Caspian region. The damage sustained is estimated to require at least two weeks for partial recovery, with full operational restoration potentially taking over a month. The incident has triggered immediate market reactions in energy futures, with Brent crude futures rising by 2.4% on concerns of supply disruptions in the Caspian region. Natural gas benchmarks across Europe also saw a 1.6% uptick, reflecting heightened risk premiums. Energy analysts note that while the Caspian contribution to global supply is relatively small, strategic signals from the attack could influence long-term investment flows and energy security planning in Eastern Europe and Central Asia.