Russian oil logistics in the Baltic has suffered a large-scale disruption that calls into question the stability of crude exports to world markets. This is reported by Reuters with reference to satellite monitoring data and industry sources.
As a result of a series of attacks by Ukrainian drones, the key russian port of Primorsk has lost at least 40% of its oil storage capacity.
Analysis of satellite images by the American company Vantor revealed serious damage to eight massive tanks. Each of them has a capacity of 50,000 cubic meters, which together accounts for almost half of the port's total tank fleet. As Primorsk is a strategic hub capable of pumping up to 1 million barrels of oil per day (approximately 1% of the world's total consumption), the failure of so many storage facilities creates a "bottleneck effect."
Traders pay special attention to the fact that some of the damaged tanks were used for transshipment of diesel fuel. Without the ability to accumulate fuel in tanks, the port cannot ensure uninterrupted loading of tankers, forcing companies to significantly reduce cargo turnover and look for alternative routes, which are often more expensive or logistically more difficult.
The situation is exacerbated by the fact that Primorsk is not the only pain point for the russian energy sector. The neighboring Ust-Luga Oil terminal also came under regular attack in late March. Eight more tanks were damaged there, accounting for a quarter of the terminal's total reserves. Due to the destruction of the berthing facilities, export operations in Ust-Luga have been suspended several times, which directly correlates with experts' predictions of an inevitable reduction in oil production in russia due to the inability to ship it abroad on time.
The russian government, through its spokesman Dmitry Peskov, has traditionally called the attacks "terrorist acts," while recognizing the need to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure. However, analysts note that systematic attacks on storage facilities are strategically beneficial for Ukraine, as unlike oil refineries, which can be repaired, the destruction of large tanks in ports instantly hits the aggressor's foreign exchange earnings and creates logistical chaos that cannot be quickly resolved by repair crews alone.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, a reduction in oil production in russia is inevitable due to the consequences of Ukraine's recent attacks.
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