**Romania Suspects Russian Sabotage Behind Azeri Oil Contamination**
A potential fuel crisis is looming in southern Romania after a large volume of contaminated oil was discovered, sparking concerns that Russia might have intentionally compromised the supply. According to local news outlet G4Media, Romanian authorities are investigating whether Russian agents deliberately added organic chloride to a shipment of Azeri oil bound for OMV Petrom’s Petrobrazi refinery.
The crude oil, which had been transported via a pipeline through Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Turkey, contained high levels of corrosive chloride. If not removed before entering the pipeline, this substance can cause significant damage to refinery equipment, potentially leading to a national fuel crisis. The contamination was first detected at Turkey’s Ceyhan oil terminal, where a shipment destined for Romania’s Constanta port was subsequently canceled.
Western officials have been warning about Russian sabotage and hybrid operations across Europe, which are designed to create instability and undermine support for Ukraine. Romania has been a key ally to Kyiv since the full-scale war began in 2022, providing military and economic assistance. The contamination of Azeri oil is seen as a potential attempt by Russia to target Romania’s energy infrastructure.
**The Contamination: How it Happened**
Sources close to G4Media claim that the organic chloride could have been introduced into the pipeline through a relatively simple sabotage operation. Injecting the substance anywhere along the 1,700-kilometer-long pipeline would have been enough to cause significant damage to refinery equipment at Petrobrazi. The BTC Pipeline Company and OMV Petrom both confirmed the presence of corrosive chloride in the oil.
**A Crisis Averted**
After the contamination was detected, Romania’s Energy Ministry declared a crisis-level emergency in crude oil supply. To offset the temporary shortage, authorities authorized the release of oil and diesel reserves from storage facilities. Some of the contaminated oil had already reached other European countries, including Italy and Czechia, where Eni and Unipetrol confirmed its presence.
**The Bigger Picture**
Romania’s decision to suspect Russian sabotage highlights the country’s concerns about potential threats to its energy infrastructure. As a NATO and EU member sharing a border with Ukraine, Romania has been at the forefront of efforts to support Kyiv during the conflict. The contamination of Azeri oil serves as a reminder that the war in Ukraine is not just a regional issue but also affects the security and stability of neighboring countries.
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