Last night, Russian air forces launched an attack on SOCAR oil depots in the Odessa region. This was reported by Zamin.uz.
This attack was the second strike on the Azerbaijani state company in recent weeks. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha emphasized on his social media page that Moscow deliberately carried out this attack and is taking a series of actions against Azerbaijan's interests.
According to him, this incident once again demonstrated the importance of cooperation between Ukraine and Azerbaijan and highlighted the necessity of responding to such attacks through diplomatic and legal means. According to the Trend news agency, the SOCAR oil terminal in the Odessa region was bombarded by several Shahed-type drones.
As a result, large explosions and fires occurred. The strike damaged storage tanks at the terminal, the pump station building, operator and technical facilities, as well as the surrounding barriers.
The total capacity of the facility exceeds 16,000 cubic meters. Currently, efforts are underway to assess the damage and restore the terminals, while rescue services are working to extinguish the fire.
Sybiha assessed this incident as an attempt by Russia not only against Ukraine but also against cooperation and energy security. According to information, on August 8, nearly ten drone strikes also targeted this depot, causing partial destruction.
A criminal case has been opened regarding this incident. In a statement to the press, Ukraine's Energy Minister noted that assessing the damage is difficult because rescuers are still working.
Russia and SOCAR have not yet commented on this incident. Azerbaijan manages nearly 60 fuel stations in Ukraine, so these strikes could seriously damage economic ties between the two countries.
In his writing, Sybiha noted that Moscow is deliberately carrying out this action and acting against Azerbaijan's interests. Together with Ukrainian officials, he called on the Azerbaijani government to respond adequately to these actions and to take new diplomatic and legal measures.
Sybiha emphasized the need to strengthen and expand cooperation in the energy sector. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky also called this strike an attack against relations and energy security on his social media page.
Local analysts evaluate Russia's move as an attempt to damage joint projects between Ukraine and Azerbaijan and to intensify conflicts among energy players in the region. Currently, the international community is closely monitoring Azerbaijan's response to the strikes and how its relations with neighboring countries will develop.
According to the Ukrainian government, this incident is a new test for regional security and economic interests. Therefore, it is important to prevent such threats by strengthening diplomatic cooperation.
Observers are keenly awaiting how a new chapter in relations between Azerbaijan and Ukraine will unfold and what the resolution of the conflict with Russia will be.
