US Warns Ukraine Over Drone Strikes Affecting American Investments in Kazakhstan

The United States has issued a formal diplomatic warning to Ukraine following Ukrainian drone strikes on a Russian oil terminal in Novorossiysk, which impacted American investments linked to Kazakhstan. The warning was confirmed by Ukraine's Ambassador to the US, Oksana Markarova.

During a briefing at the embassy in Washington on February 24, Ambassador Markarova stated that the US State Department communicated its concerns directly. The core message was that Ukrainian attacks on the Novorossiysk facility had affected certain American investments channeled through Kazakhstan. Consequently, Kyiv was advised to refrain from actions that could harm US economic interests.

"We received an instruction from the State Department to refrain from attacks affecting American interests," Markarova was quoted as saying. She clarified that the demarche was specifically tied to the economic fallout from the strikes and that Ukraine had taken note of the request. However, she emphasized that the US did not prohibit Ukraine from targeting Russian military or energy infrastructure in general.

The ambassador expressed regret over the situation, noting that over 35 years of independence, Ukraine had not managed to attract a similar level of American economic investment as Kazakhstan has. "I was very, very sorry that we have not reached a situation where we could do the same," she remarked.

The incident underscores the complex ripple effects of the conflict. The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal in Novorossiysk is a critical outlet for Kazakh oil, in which major US energy companies like Chevron have significant stakes. The facility has been targeted multiple times.

In late November, another attack caused significant damage to an offshore loading facility at the CPC marine terminal, leading Kazakhstan's Energy Ministry to reroute oil supplies. Earlier strikes in February and March targeted the Kropotkinskaya pump station on the CPC route, temporarily restricting oil transportation. Following these incidents, reports emerged of an understanding between Ukraine and Russia to avoid striking CPC infrastructure.

Kazakhstan's Foreign Ministry previously stated it had conveyed its concerns to Ukraine regarding the attacks on the CPC, highlighting the international economic dimensions of the war's spillover.