Russia’s Black Sea port of Tuapse has suspended fuel exports and ceased operations at its local oil refinery following drone attacks on November 2 that targeted its infrastructure, according to industry sources and LSEG ship tracking data. Ukraine claimed responsibility for the strikes, which caused a fire and damaged at least one ship, as part of its ongoing efforts to disrupt Russia’s war economy by targeting its energy assets. The regional administration confirmed the fire at the port, highlighting the escalating conflict between the two nations.
In recent months, Ukraine has repeatedly targeted Russian oil refineries, depots, and pipelines, while its own energy infrastructure has also faced Russian strikes as the war approaches its fourth year. The Rosneft-controlled refinery, which primarily exports its production, halted crude processing immediately after the attacks due to the damage inflicted on port facilities.
Prior to the drone strikes, Tuapse was expected to increase its oil product exports in November, with three tankers docked at the port for loading naphtha, diesel, and fuel oil at the time of the attack. As of Wednesday, these vessels were moved from the berths and anchored nearby, indicating a halt in operations. The export-oriented Tuapse plant has a processing capacity of 240,000 barrels of oil per day and produces various products, including naphtha and high-sulphur diesel, primarily supplying markets in China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Turkey. The ongoing conflict continues to disrupt oil operations and trade in the region.