That is according to Bloomberg, citing sources familiar with the matter, Ukrinform reports.

The Suezmax-class tanker, able to hold about 1 million barrels of oil, was attacked after loading at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium's terminal near Novorossiysk.

While CPC mostly loads Kazakh barrels, the consignment in question was Russian-originated. The attack happened on Sunday close to the terminal.

The Athens-based company listed on Equasis as the manager of the Skiros said that there were no injuries or pollution as a result of the incident and that the vessel’s owners were aware of it. The company declined to comment further.

Read also:Novorossiysk's Sheskharis oil terminal suspends operations after drone attack – Reuters

That's the first strike on a vessel calling at the CPC terminal – the critical conduit for Kazakh crude exports – after almost a three-week lull in attacks.

Earlier this month, Ukraine agreed to refrain from targeting the CPC infrastructure and non-Russian vessels bound for the sea terminal as long as those ships are not otherwise subject to Ukrainian sanctions and aren't carrying Russian cargo, according to a U.S. official. Russian-origin crude typically accounts for 5% to 10% of CPC exports.

The latest attack raises risks for sustainable operations at the CPC, whose ownership includes oil majors Chevron Corp. and Exxon Mobil, as well as Russia's state pipeline company and Kazakhstan's state oil and gas company.

At the end of July, following multiple attacks on tankers, CPC even considered an option to halt operations to avoid environmental and safety risks, but decided to continue operations.

Photo: Patrick Deenik