Russian Black Sea port stops fuel exports after Ukraine attack

(Illustrative image)

Reuters reported on Wednesday (November 5) that fuel exports from Russia’s Tuapse port on the Black Sea have been suspended, and the local refinery has halted crude oil processing after a drone attack by Ukraine damaged the facility’s infrastructure.

On November 2, Ukraine announced that its drones had attacked the Tuapse port, one of Russia’s main oil ports on the Black Sea, causing a fire and damaging at least one vessel. Prior to the attack, the port had reportedly planned to increase fuel exports in November.

However, shipping data reviewed by Reuters indicated that tankers had departed from the port and were anchored offshore as of November 4. Reports stated that three oil tankers had docked at Tuapse to load naphtha, diesel, and fuel oil on the day of the attack, November 2.

Reuters cited two industry sources as saying that the refinery, controlled by Rosneft, had to shut down operations on November 3 due to the port damage.

The refinery has a processing capacity of 240,000 barrels of oil per day, supplying primarily to markets such as China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Turkey.

On the day of the attack, Ukrainian Navy spokesperson Dmytro Pletenchuk predicted long-term consequences for Russia’s maritime transport industry, noting that the attack not only damaged critical technological infrastructure but also affected refueling companies, raised insurance costs, and discouraged many from using the port.

In recent months, Ukraine has carried out multiple attacks on Russia’s refineries, storage facilities, and oil pipelines. Russia has repeatedly accused Ukraine of escalating strikes on its energy infrastructure.