Ukrainian Attack Halts Oil Exports from Russia’s Novorossiysk, Hitting 2% of Global Supply
MOSCOW, Nov 14, 2025 — Oil exports from Russia’s strategic Black Sea port of Novorossiysk were temporarily suspended on Friday after what local authorities described as a major Ukrainian drone attack, disrupting nearly 2.2 million barrels per day — equivalent to 2% of global oil supply, according to industry sources.
The strike is one of the most significant attacks on Russian energy infrastructure in recent months and comes as Ukraine intensifies efforts to weaken Moscow’s war financing by targeting oil facilities and export routes. Since August, Ukrainian long-range air and sea drones have hit multiple Russian oil refineries, pipeline systems, and key Baltic and Black Sea terminals.
Oil markets reacted immediately, with global crude prices surging over 2% on fresh supply concerns.
Ukraine Expands Long-Range Strike Campaign
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Kyiv had also launched “Long Neptune” cruise missiles overnight at targets inside Russia, noting that the accuracy and effectiveness of such operations “continue to improve.” He did not specify the locations struck.
Meanwhile, Russia’s pipeline giant Transneft suspended deliveries to Novorossiysk following the attack. Though the company declined to comment, sources confirmed the temporary halt.
The Caspian Pipeline Consortium (CPC), which exports Kazakh oil through a nearby terminal at Yuzhnaya Ozereevka, paused loadings for several hours during the air alert but later resumed operations. CPC aims to ship 1.45 million barrels per day from the terminal this month.
Damage at Terminals and Surrounding Areas
Drone debris reportedly landed on the grounds of the NKHP grain terminal, though operations continued normally. Local officials said the attack damaged a docked vessel, residential buildings, and an oil depot, injuring three crew members aboard the targeted ship.
According to maritime security firm Ambrey, a crane and several containers at a logistics terminal sustained damage. A non-sanctioned container ship at the dock also suffered collateral impact, although all crew members were safely sheltered.
Regional governor Veniamin Kondratyev said Novorossiysk “suffered the most”, adding that more than 170 personnel and 50 units of emergency equipment were mobilized overnight to control fires and assist residents. The blaze at the Sheskharis oil depot was later extinguished.
Impact on Oil Terminals and Export Volumes
Industry sources said the Ukrainian strike hit two major berths — 1 and 1A — at the Sheskharis terminal, which accommodate tankers ranging from 40,000 to 140,000 deadweight tons. The Sierra Leone-flagged Arlan oil tanker was also reportedly damaged.
Novorossiysk is a critical export hub for Russia:
- Crude oil shipments in October: 3.22 million tonnes (≈ 761,000 barrels/day)
- January–October crude exports: 24.716 million tonnes
- Oil product exports in October: 1.794 million tonnes
- January–October oil product exports: 16.783 million tonnes
Internationalnews agency said it could not independently verify all accounts, and Ukrainian officials have not commented on the reported attack.
