/Reuters Agency
A Ukrainian drone attack on the northwestern Russian port of Primorsk has for the first time caused a suspension of loading operations at its main western oil terminal, according to industry sources and the Ukrainian military.
Primorsk has the capacity to load approximately one million barrels per day (bpd) of crude oil, making it a key hub for Russian oil exports and the largest port in the country’s western region.
The terminal dispatches the flagship Russian crude Urals, in addition to nearly 300,000 bpd of diesel. This attack marks a turning point in the Ukrainian strategy of striking Russian energy infrastructure, with the goal of reducing hydrocarbon export revenues, the Kremlin’s main source of funding.
The drone attack, the first of its kind reported against the port, caused fires on two vessels, according to industry sources.
Kyiv has intensified its drone attacks against Russian energy infrastructure while pushing for negotiations to end the war in Ukraine, attempting to cut off Russia’s access to its main source of income: the sale of crude oil, by limiting its export capabilities.
The Ukrainian security agency SBU reported that it had attacked the port of Primorsk with drones overnight, which caused a fire and the suspension of loading operations.
Oil loadings from Primorsk were suspended early on Friday, according to two industry sources familiar with the port’s operations. It was unclear whether activities had resumed at the time of writing.
The Russian governor of the region where the port is located, Alexander Drozdenko, confirmed that a drone attack caused a fire on a vessel and at a pumping station, but did not report any suspension of operations.
Subsequently, Drozdenko indicated that the fire had been extinguished and that there was no risk of an oil spill. According to his statements, more than 30 drones were destroyed in the region.
Oil prices rose nearly 2% following the suspension of loadings at Primorsk, overcoming pressures from oversupply and weak demand in the United States.
Two oil tankers, the Kusto and the Cai Yun, were hit by the attack, according to industry sources. The Kusto is an Aframax-type vessel capable of carrying approximately 700,000 barrels and is operated by Solstice Corp, according to LSEG data. The Cai Yun, also an Aframax, is linked to Acceronix Ltd. Both are registered in Seychelles, according to public databases.
Other Russian ports, including the nearby Ust-Luga and Novorossiisk on the Black Sea, have been repeatedly attacked by Ukraine in recent months.
Russian oil exports are already limited, as the port of Ust-Luga has not yet fully restored its capacity following a drone attack in August.
This month, the port is operating at half capacity.
Russia has revised its crude oil export plan for September from its western ports, raising it to 2.1 million barrels per day (bpd), which represents an 11% increase from the initial schedule, because drone attacks on domestic refineries have reduced internal demand for crude.
Primorsk is located near Saint Petersburg, where Pulkovo Airport briefly suspended its operations. The Russian army reported intercepting 221 Ukrainian drones overnight. The Ukrainian General Staff did not issue immediate comments on the Russian report.
Vladimir Putin attended the inauguration ceremony of the port of Primorsk in 2001, one year after assuming the presidency of Russia, as part of a strategy to reduce the country’s dependence on other Baltic ports.
