Ukrainian Drone Offensive Disrupts Oil Exports at Key Novorossiysk Port

Oil shipments to Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk were halted following Ukrainian airstrikes that damaged vital energy infrastructure, marking one of the most significant overnight assaults in the Krasnodar region in recent months, as reported by Reuters on Friday, citing unnamed sources familiar with the situation.

Transneft, Russia’s state-owned pipeline company, ceased the transportation of crude oil to Novorossiysk, according to two sources mentioned by the news agency. The port also suspended both the receipt and loading of oil as a result of the attack.

Authorities in the Krasnodar region indicated that the strikes inflicted damage on the Sheskharis oil transshipment facility, causing fires that were subsequently extinguished.

A local state of emergency was declared in Novorossiysk, a crucial hub for crude exports from Russia and Kazakhstan, located along Russia’s southeastern Black Sea coast.

Due to concerns over potential disruptions in supply, global oil prices rose by approximately 2%.

Transneft has not made any public statements regarding the suspension of oil deliveries.

Venyamin Kondratyev, the Governor of Krasnodar region, reported that debris from the strikes hit a civilian vessel in the port, resulting in injuries to three crew members.

According to Novorossiysk Mayor Andrei Kravchenko, several coastal facilities, numerous residential buildings, and private homes were damaged, leading to one injury. He mentioned that temporary shelters have been established for those affected.

In a related note, Russia’s Defense Ministry stated that its air defense systems successfully intercepted or shot down 216 Ukrainian drones, with 66 intercepted over the Krasnodar region and 59 over the Black Sea.

Further north, residents in Saratov reported that Ukrainian drones targeted the Rosneft-owned Saratov oil refinery, which has a processing capacity of about 140,000 barrels per day, producing various fuels, including gasoline and diesel.

Saratov Governor Roman Busargin confirmed that unspecified «civilian infrastructure» was impacted.

The Russian Defense Ministry also announced that its air defenses took down 45 Ukrainian drones in the Saratov region.

Flights were temporarily restricted at 11 airports across Russia during the nighttime aerial assaults, including facilities in Krasnodar and Saratov.

As of now, Ukrainian officials have not responded to inquiries regarding the strikes.