According to reports, Bulgaria’s leader publicly stated two commercial vessels docked at a Bulgarian port were hit by a drone attack, and Zelensky blamed Russia for the attack. The incident occurs against the backdrop of continued pressure on Black Sea shipping security; multiple national shipowners have raised insurance premiums for Black Sea routes.
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Energy announced on September 12 the temporary shutdown of a key crude oil pipeline crossing Iraqi territory that delivers crude from Saudi eastern oilfields to Red Sea export ports, after a drone attack launched from the Iraqi side struck pipeline facilities, causing damage and triggering local fires. Saudi authorities activated the highest level of energy emergency response, drawing on strategic reserves and alternative routes to maintain contractual exports. Iraq’s Prime Minister’s Office subsequently announced the dismissal of a military commander responsible for the relevant border area and launched a joint investigation involving security and judicial authorities, highlighting possible new patterns of cross-border non-state armed activity. The incident, occurring alongside recent Houthi strikes on Saudi energy facilities, signals that Saudi energy infrastructure now faces simultaneous threats from multiple directions and is placing renewed pressure on global energy markets.
A major oil refinery near Moscow was hit by a drone attack, marking the latest in a series of Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure deep inside the country.