Key oil pumping station on Druzhba pipeline in Russia's Tatarstan catches fire – video

The Kaleykino oil pumping station in Russia's Republic of Tatarstan, a key hub for the operation of the Druzhba export oil pipeline, was attacked on the night of 22-23 February.

Source: Telegram monitoring channels; Astra, a Russian media outlet

Details: Videos circulating online show a large-scale fire and tall flames at the site of the station.

Update: Regional authorities confirmed in the morning that an industrial facility had been attacked.

Russian authorities claimed in an official statement that the "small-scale fire" had been caused by falling debris from a drone.

"No casualties have been reported. Emergency services are dealing with the aftermath. The situation is under control," the regional administration said.

For reference: The Kaleykino station is the most powerful facility of its kind in the region and one of the key logistics hubs of Russia's energy system. It is where oil from different regions, including Western Siberia and the Volga region, is blended before being sent for export. The station maintains the pressure and continuous flow of crude into the Druzhba pipeline and also supplies refineries in Tatarstan.

Damage to this facility will directly affect Russia's war economy. Oil and gas revenues account for roughly a third of the Russian federal budget, which funds the war against Ukraine, and Kaleykino is a starting point in the chain that delivers resources to European markets.

Background:

• In recent days, Hungary and Slovakia have publicly pressured Kyiv after Ukraine tightened sanctions against the Russian company Lukoil, blocking the transit of its oil through Ukrainian territory.
• Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico and Hungarian Foreign Minister Péter Szijjártó have threatened legal action against Ukraine and blocked a €90 billion EU loan for Ukraine.
• In addition, Hungary and Slovakia have threatened to halt electricity supplies.
• Both countries are demanding the resumption of Russian oil transit specifically via the Druzhba pipeline.

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