Russia’s Tuapse oil refinery in the Black Sea has suspended production following November 2 drone attack by Ukrainian forces.
Ukraine said on Sunday its forces struck the Tuapse refinery, damaging the port infrastructure. Being the largest oil facility in the Black Sea region, Tuapse oil refinery is controlled by the Rosneft state company. It’s located 1,200 kilometers from the Ukrainian border.
Neither Rosneft nor Russia’s port agency has commented on the incident, but according to multiple reports and official statements, an overnight drone attack triggered major fires and damaged an oil tanker.
The strike on oil terminal has also caused an oil spill stretching several kilometers into the Black Sea, with the slick extending about 3.6 kilometers from the terminal into the Black Sea.
Before the attack, Tuapse had been expected to boost oil product exports in November, Reuters reported. LSEG data showed three tankers were loading naphtha, diesel, and fuel oil at the time of the strike.
With a daily capacity of 240,000 barrels, the Tuapse refinery produces naphtha, fuel oil, vacuum gasoil and high-sulphur diesel, most of which is exported to China, Malaysia, Singapore and Türkey.
Ukraine has been launching air raids aimed at disrupting Russia’s oil production and undermining the Kremlin’s war efforts. In turn, Russia has kept up a barrage of drone and missile attacks, particularly on Ukraine's energy grid ahead of winter months.
