FT: Ukraine suspended strikes on oil tankers near Novorossiysk at Vance's request

Ukraine suspended drone strikes on oil tankers using the Russian port of Novorossiysk following a request from US Vice President JD Vance, Ukrainian officials said, according to the Financial Times, cited by Report.

The United States made the request last month amid concerns in Washington that Ukrainian attacks could destabilize oil markets and harm American companies.

The tankers in question transport Kazakh oil to the terminal in Novorossiysk for export through the Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC) pipeline system.

According to FT, Ukraine agreed not to strike CPC infrastructure or vessels that are not Russian-owned, provided that they are not under Ukrainian sanctions and are not carrying Russian oil or cargo.

A US official also said the US administration had warned Ukraine that it should stop attacks in the Black Sea against vessels that do not belong to Russia.

Ukraine has recently intensified strikes against Russian energy infrastructure and vessels. Kyiv says the attacks are aimed at reducing the resources Russia uses to finance the war.

According to Reuters sources, oil shipments through the CPC pipeline fell by nearly 20% in July as a result of drone attacks in the Black Sea.