A drone intercepted overnight was aimed at key infrastructure co-owned by US investors, the Defense Ministry has said

An armed Ukrainian drone was shot down overnight near an oil pumping station in Russia operated by an international company, the Russian Defense Ministry has said

The interception reportedly occurred early Monday around 7km from the Kropotkinskaya facility, which is part of the energy link managed by the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC). The ministry stated that the station was the intended target of the drone, citing apriorattack against it in mid-February.

The CPC includes major US oil companies such as Chevron and ExxonMobil among its stakeholders and primarily facilitates the export of Kazakh oil through Russian territory.

Moscow characterized the incident as yet another violation of a US-mediated partial ceasefire, under which both Moscow and Kiev committed to refraining from strikes on energy infrastructure.

The agreement aims to pave the way for a broader truce, with indirect negotiations taking place this week in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. The discussions will also focus on maritime security in the Black Sea. The US is serving as a shuttle, with no direct discussions between Russia and Ukraine planned.

"The Kiev regime continues to plan, prepare, and execute attacks against energy infrastructure, including internationally-owned assets within Russia," the ministry said.

Last week, the Russian military accused Kiev of conducting a kamikaze drone strike against an oil transfer station in Krasnodar Region, which services the CPC-operated pipeline. The incident occurred hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin and his US counterpart, Donald Trump, approved the partial ceasefire. By the time the assault unfolded, Ukraine's Vladimir Zelensky publicly endorsed the agreement.

Days later, Moscow reported that Ukrainian forces had demolished a border gas metering station in Kursk Region, with Kiev attributing the explosion to Russian actions. According to the Russian military, Ukrainian troops blew up the facility during their retreat after a months-long incursion.

Despite what the Defense Ministrylabeleda "provocation," it stated that it intends to maintain the partial ceasefire. The Foreign Ministry later warned, however, that Russia could withdraw from the deal if Kiev continues its violations.

(RT.com)