This attack was one of the largest attacks on Russia’s oil export infrastructure in recent months. The attack came after Ukraine increased its attacks on Russian oil refineries since August as part of Kiev’s effort to reduce Moscow’s ability to finance its war.
Global oil prices rose more than 2% amid supply concerns following the attack.
Ukraine’s long-range air and sea drones have repeatedly disrupted Russian oil infrastructure this year, targeting Baltic and Black Sea ports, main pipeline systems, and a number of oil refineries.
Ukraine also used cruise missiles
The Ukrainian General Staff stated that its forces used Neptune cruise missiles and various types of attack drones in the attack on Novorossiysk as part of “efforts to reduce the military and economic potential of the Russian aggressor.”
Ukraine also announced that it separately struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov region and a fuel storage facility in nearby Engels during the night.
Sources told Reuters that Russian pipeline oil monopoly Transneft was also forced to suspend supplies to the Novorossiysk port.
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which exports oil from Kazakhstan via the neighboring Yuzhnaya Ozereevka terminal, resumed loadings which it had suspended for several hours after the air alarm was lifted.
Damage Assessment
• Sheskharis Terminal: According to three sector sources, the Ukrainian attack hit two oil loading berths (Berth 1 and Berth 1A) used for the export of crude oil and oil products at Sheskharis.
• Ship Hit: It was reported that the Sierra Leone-flagged Arlan oil tanker was also hit during the attack.
• Casualties: Russian authorities reported that the attack also damaged a ship anchored in Novorossiysk, apartments, and an oil depot, with three crew members from the ship injured. The injured crew were hospitalized.
• Fire Extinguished: Authorities announced that the fire at the oil depot in the Sheskharis terminal had been extinguished.
Krasnodar region Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said, “Novorossiysk suffered the most damage,” and stated that more than 170 people and 50 pieces of equipment quickly responded to the incident and extinguished the fires.
