Kazakhstan steers oil exports after Druzhba halt; energy ministry says 100k tons redirected. Tokayev-led state, Central Asia’s energy spine.
Ukrainian forces struck the Sheskharis oil terminal and Novorossiysk naval base in Russia's Krasnodar region overnight. The attack caused a large fire, wounded five, and disrupted air traffic. Russia intercepted Ukrainian drones, and the incident follows previous strikes on key Russian energy infrastructure. The US warned Ukraine to avoid targeting American interests.
The US and Israel launched military strikes against Iran, prompting regional retaliation. Turkey calls for diplomacy, condemning the attacks as illegal. Iran retaliates with missile and drone strikes, intensifying regional instability and raising concerns over energy supplies and international law.
Ahmed Shihab-Eldin has been acquitted of charges including spreading false information and harming national security after 52 days in Kuwaiti detention and has left Kuwait, his legal team and rights groups have said. His arrest had highlighted an expanding crackdown on social media and press coverage in Gulf states since the US-Israel strikes on Iran began in late February.
Ukraine launched drone strikes on key Russian oil infrastructure in Novorossiysk, damaging a mooring point and igniting fires at oil reservoirs. The strikes target Russia's Black Sea export facilities amid ongoing conflict, impacting global oil supplies and Russia's energy exports.
Kazakhstan has redirected up to 100,000 metric tons of crude to the Baltic port of Ust-Luga and another 160,000 metric tons via the CPC in southern Russia, in a shift that follows attacks on the Druzhba pipeline and raises questions over supply to Germany and Berlin’s PCK refinery.
Vladimir Putin has overseen a scaled-down Victory Day parade in Moscow under heavy security, has said "the matter is coming to an end," and has offered to meet Volodymyr Zelenskyy in a third country only after a final peace treaty is agreed. A US-brokered three-day ceasefire and a 1,000-for-1,000 prisoner swap have been announced for the holiday.
During a state visit to Astana, Putin and Tokayev have advanced plans for a Russian-financed nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan, with construction expected to start soon and commissioning targeted for 2035-2036. Rosatom will lead the project, which aims to boost regional energy capacity and deepen bilateral ties.