Export of Oil Halted at Russian Terminal 'Sheskharis' Following Drone Attack – Reuters
A significant fire broke out at the 'Sheskharis' oil terminal in Novorossiysk due to a drone attack, leading to a suspension of crude oil loading operations at this key export point in the Black Sea.
In the early hours of March 2, 2023, a large fire erupted at the 'Sheskharis' oil terminal in Novorossiysk as a result of a kamikaze drone attack. This incident has led to the suspension of crude oil loading from the terminal, which is one of the crucial export points for Russian oil in the Black Sea. According to information obtained from Reuters, the 'Sheskharis' terminal halted its operations following a massive attack that caused significant damage.
Sources providing this information indicated that the port has yet to assess the extent of the damage incurred. It is known that a previous attack on the terminal, which occurred in early March, resulted in a five-day suspension of oil loading. This indicates that the 'Sheskharis' terminal is a vulnerable target and is subject to risks associated with military conflicts.
According to data cited by Reuters, the 'Sheskharis' terminal typically loads around 700,000 barrels of oil per day, making it a primary export point for Russian oil in the Black Sea region. The cessation of operations at this terminal will undoubtedly increase the burden on Russian infrastructure, which has repeatedly been the target of attacks.
Additionally, agency sources reported that oil exports from Russia's main Baltic port of Ust-Luga have also been suspended since last week due to powerful drone strikes and fires that occurred as a result of these attacks. This highlights that the security situation at Russian oil terminals remains tense.
It is worth noting that the drones that attacked the 'Sheskharis' terminal belong to the special operations center 'Alpha' of the Security Service of Ukraine. On the night of April 6, 2023, these drones, in conjunction with defense forces, struck the oil loading terminal 'Sheskharis' in the seaport of Novorossiysk, located in the Krasnodar region of the Russian Federation. This attack is part of a broader strategy by Ukraine aimed at dismantling Russian military and economic infrastructure.
Thus, the events surrounding the 'Sheskharis' terminal and the overall situation regarding the export of Russian oil in the Black Sea continue to attract close attention from international observers. Amidst rising tensions and ongoing military actions in the region, such attacks could have significant implications for global oil markets and energy security.