Russia’s Tuapse Port Halts Fuel Exports After Drone Attacks Stop Refinery Work

Russia’s Black Sea port of Tuapse has suspended fuel exports after its local oil refinery halted crude processing following Ukrainian drone attacks, according to two industry sources and LSEG ship-tracking data, Reuters reported.

The export-oriented Tuapse plant, with a processing capacity of 240,000 barrels of oil per day, produces naphtha, fuel oil, vacuum gas oil, and high-sulfur diesel. (Photo: Maximcofetea Wikimedia Commons) 

Ukraine said Sunday that its drones struck Tuapse — one of Russia’s main Black Sea oil ports — causing a fire and damaging at least one ship, as part of Kyiv’s efforts to undermine Russia’s war economy by targeting its energy infrastructure.

The regional administration confirmed that the strike sparked a fire at the port. Ukraine has for several months been striking Russian oil refineries, depots, and pipelines.

Ukraine said Sunday that its drones struck Tuapse — one of Russia’s main Black Sea oil ports — causing a fire and damaging at least one ship, as part of Kyiv’s efforts to undermine Russia’s war economy by targeting its energy infrastructure.

The regional administration confirmed that the strike sparked a fire at the port. Ukraine has for several months been striking Russian oil refineries, depots, and pipelines.

The sources said the Rosneft-controlled refinery, which exports most of its production, halted processing the following day due to damage to port infrastructure.

The export-oriented Tuapse plant, with a processing capacity of 240,000 barrels of oil per day, produces naphtha, fuel oil, vacuum gas oil, and high-sulfur diesel.

The refinery — which has also been targeted by drones several times — mainly supplies China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Turkey.