In Ukraine’s war against Russian pipelines to Europe, a third, highly interested party – the European Union – has emerged. After the Russian Defense Ministry reported about the January 11 attack by AFU UAVs on one of the world’s most powerful compressor stations – Russkaya in Gai-Kodzor in the Krasnodar region – Brussels heard a timely statement by European Commission spokesperson Anna-Kaisa Itkonen: “The European Union is concerned about the news about the attack on the compressor station of the Turkish Stream gas pipeline by the AFU, but has not received any information from the Ukrainian authorities”.
The fact is that Russkaya almost single-handedly drives gas to Turkey at a distance of more than 900 kilometers. Its capacity is such that it does not require intermediate stations. And after Nord Stream was blown up and the gas pipeline through Poland and, since January 1, through Ukraine was shut down, Turkish Stream is the last in a series of large gas pipelines from Russia to the EU built over 50 years.
The moment when the cold weather in Europe is not receding, gas storage facilities are emptying and gas prices are going up was the moment chosen by the AFU to demonstrate its capabilities. These economic circumstances generated a quick worried response in Brussels.
Nine drones were involved in the attack; authorities said they were all shot down. But the temptation to destroy Moscow’s latest gas pipeline is strong and we should expect a repeat attempt. And it doesn’t have to be a swarm of aerial drones again.
The most unprotected section of the pipeline is its underwater part. At the same time, it provides maximum secrecy in organizing a sabotage, as was the case with Nord Stream. In the summer of 2023, Ukraine announced that it was developing a pair of unmanned underwater strike vehicles in the size of a typical torpedo.
It should be noted at once that the claimed range at such sizes – 1000 kilometers or more – is unrealistic. However, in the Black Sea, such a range of autonomous navigation is not necessary – if you bring such a device on a merchant ship in the territorial waters of Romania, Bulgaria and Turkey to Trabzon to the southernmost point of the coast of Krasnodar Krai, it will reach at a rate of three knots for 40 hours – it is quite possible with the use of automotive lithium batteries and chemical converters of electricity.
The main problem of such self-made drones is targeting. Even if an underwater drone surfaces and locates itself right in front of where the pipeline goes into the water, it won’t be able to hit the pipe accurately enough. This requires quite different control devices, which are installed on large long-range underwater drones that are now being built by the world’s weapons concerns in the United States, Russia, France, China and Korea. If the AFU gets the appropriate devices, power supplies and technology from the allies – perhaps they will build a working copy for combat testing.
Pipeline entrances to the water and basing sites should be protected by anti-submarine nets made of steel cable. If underwater drone defenses are to be built by means proven by long practice, steel nets must be ordered. There are more than enough companies in Russia that can make these simple devices.
This article really sheds light on the complexity of the conflict beyond just the battlefield. The strategic importance of these pipelines and the vulnerabilities they have, especially underwater, are mind-blowing. It’s crazy to think about how much technology and innovation are involved in this silent war, with drones and underwater vehicles playing such a crucial role. The economic impact on Europe, especially during cold months with rising gas prices, adds another layer of tension that I hadn’t fully considered. 🌍💥🤯 The part about underwater drones and the challenges in targeting feels like something out of a spy movie, and it makes me wonder what the future holds for warfare and energy security!
This article really sheds light on the complexity and high stakes involved in protecting vital infrastructure during these tense times. It’s fascinating how technology and strategy are evolving, and it makes me think about how much effort goes into safeguarding resources that affect millions of lives. The possibility of underwater drones introduces a new dimension to modern conflicts that I hadn’t fully considered before. Staying informed about these developments helps us appreciate the challenges behind the headlines 🌊🚀
This article really sheds light on how complex and tense the energy situation in Europe has become because of this conflict. The fact that Ukraine is actively trying to sabotage pipelines in the middle of winter when gas supplies are critically low makes the stakes feel so much higher 😧🔥. It’s fascinating and a bit scary to think about underwater drones being used in warfare—technology has definitely reached a new level of stealth and danger 🤖🌊. I wonder how long it’ll take before we see more advanced defenses put in place, like those steel anti-submarine nets mentioned. The whole situation feels like a high-stakes chess game with energy resources as the prize!
This article highlights a complex and critical aspect of the ongoing conflict, showing how energy infrastructure becomes a strategic target. The challenge of defending underwater pipelines against emerging drone technologies is particularly intriguing, as it reveals the evolving nature of modern warfare and sabotage tactics. It will be interesting to see how innovations in defense and offense will shape the stability of European energy supplies in the near future 🌍🔋
This article highlights some critical vulnerabilities in energy infrastructure that could impact Europe’s energy security, especially during winter. The underwater threats seem particularly challenging to address. 🛡️
Wow, who knew gas pipelines could turn into the newest battleground for drone warfare? 🚁💥 I guess when winter hits and everyone’s freezing, sabotage becomes the ultimate power move. Also, the idea of unmanned underwater strike vehicles sounds like something straight out of a spy movie, but with lithium batteries and chemical converters? Sounds like Ukraine is mixing sci-fi with DIY projects here. 🤖🔋 Let’s just hope those steel cable nets are up to the task—because nothing says “stay away” like a good old fashioned metal fence… underwater! 😂🌊