Baku, August 19, 2025 – In the early hours of August 18, a new wave of Russian “Shahed”-type drones struck the SOCAR oil terminal in Ukraine’s Odesa region. The facility suffered a series of direct hits that ignited a large fire, damaging multiple fuel tanks, the pumping station, operator and technical buildings, as well as the perimeter fence. The site has a storage capacity of more than 16,000 cubic meters. Emergency repair works are already underway, but the full scale of losses is being assessed.
This marks the second massive strike on SOCAR’s Ukrainian infrastructure in just 10 days. On August 8, Russian drones also targeted the same facility, causing serious destruction and prompting a criminal investigation by Ukrainian authorities.
Political Motives Behind the Strikes
Ilgar Velizade, head of the South Caucasus Political Scientists’ Club, told 1news.az that the repeated attacks on SOCAR are not accidental. In his view, the nature and scale of the destruction “once again prove that these are deliberate and targeted strikes aimed at completely disabling a strategically vital asset.”
He argued that Moscow is escalating military pressure in parallel with negotiations. “Despite ongoing talks and Washington’s push for a peace process, the war in Ukraine is intensifying. Russia is openly using the battlefield to strengthen its bargaining position and force Kyiv to accept terms favorable to Moscow,” Velizade said.
Why SOCAR?
According to the analyst, SOCAR’s infrastructure plays not only a commercial but also a humanitarian role in Ukraine. Its fuel supplies power rescue services, ambulances, firefighting units, and other emergency structures. “Targeting SOCAR means targeting Ukraine’s ability to function in crises,” he stressed.
Velizade also linked the strikes to the broader geopolitical context: Azerbaijan’s growing energy partnership with Ukraine, including discussions on delivering Azerbaijani gas through regional transit networks. “Russia views this cooperation with hostility — and is signaling through force that it intends to disrupt it,” he noted.
Strain on Baku-Moscow Relations
The attacks have triggered high-level contacts between Baku and Kyiv. Presidents Ilham Aliyev and Volodymyr Zelensky condemned Russia’s actions during a phone call, pledging that cooperation in the energy sector will continue regardless. Their foreign ministers, Jeyhun Bayramov and Andriy Sybiha, also described the strikes as “deliberate and unacceptable” during subsequent consultations.
Velizade warned that such actions “further complicate already strained Azerbaijani-Russian relations” and fuel tension by echoing unfounded Russian media claims about alleged Azerbaijani military support to Ukraine. “Attempts to pressure Azerbaijan will only backfire. Baku has never bowed to such tactics and will take adequate measures to protect its interests,” he said.
What Next?
The analyst pointed out that the upcoming session of the Azerbaijan-Russia intergovernmental commission in Moscow could be overshadowed — or even derailed — by the strikes. Azerbaijan, he said, will demand explanations in categorical terms.
Ultimately, he concluded, Baku will not abandon its plans with Kyiv. If anything, the latest attacks will accelerate efforts to secure energy transport infrastructure and deepen cooperation. “Those who believe Azerbaijan can be coerced into abandoning Ukraine are deeply mistaken,” Velizade emphasized.
