A drone collided with an oil tanker chartered by Kazakhstan as it was heading to a Russian port on the Black Sea earlier on Tuesday, resulting in an explosion but not significant damage, stated Kazakhstan’s state energy company, Kazmunaygas.

Kazmunaygas did not disclose who may have been responsible for the incident.

Ukraine, which has been conducting a prolonged campaign of strikes against Russian energy assets in retaliation for the invasion, has not provided an immediate response.

The vessel, named Matilda, was traveling to pick up Kazakh oil at the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) terminal located on Russia’s southern Black Sea coast when the incident occurred, according to Kazmunaygas.

“There were no injuries reported among the crew. Initial evaluations indicate that the ship is still seaworthy, and there are no apparent signs of major structural damage,” they added.

Russian state media mentioned that Ukraine also targeted at least one other vessel in the Black Sea earlier on Tuesday, but it too was deemed seaworthy.

Throughout the nearly four-year conflict, Ukraine has repeatedly attacked the CPC terminal, notably conducting a naval drone strike last November that inflicted damage to one of its three mooring points.

The Ukrainian military asserts that these strikes are essential in undermining the energy revenue that Russia relies on to fund its military operations and represent a legitimate response to Russia’s missile and drone assaults.

Nonetheless, these assaults have caused concern for Kazakhstan, which relies on the CPC terminal for the transit of approximately 80% of its oil.

Russia has been carrying out nightly drone and missile attacks across Ukraine, frequently hitting residential buildings, offices, and other civilian areas, resulting in thousands of civilian casualties over the past four years.

In addition, Ukraine’s energy infrastructure has been significantly impacted by these strikes, leading to heating and power shortages for millions.