Finance
Russia's Black Sea's Sheskharis Terminal Halts Loadings After Drone Attack, Sources Say
Published by Global Banking & Finance Review®
Posted on April 7, 2026
2 min readLast updated: April 7, 2026
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Quick Summary
Russia’s Sheskharis oil terminal in Novorossiysk has halted crude loadings after a drone attack and fire, suspending its typical ~700,000 barrels per day output. This adds pressure to Russia’s already battered export infrastructure and risks output cuts amid rising global oil demand.
Russia Halts Black Sea Sheskharis Oil Exports After Drone Attack and Fire
Suspension of Oil Exports and Impact on Russian Infrastructure
Sheskharis Terminal Attack and Export Suspension
April 7 (Reuters) - Crude oil exports from Russia's Sheskharis terminal in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk were suspended after a massive drone attack and a fire, two sources familiar with the matter said on Tuesday.
Significance of the Sheskharis Terminal
The terminal, which typically loads 700,000 barrels per day of crude, is Russia's major oil outlet in the Black Sea. Its suspension will add to the strain on Russian infrastructure, which has been repeatedly attacked.
Wider Disruptions to Russian Oil Exports
Suspension at Baltic Ust-Luga Port
Russia's major Baltic Ust-Luga port's oil exports have also been suspended since last week after heavy drone strikes and fires, industry sources said.
Potential Output Cuts and Global Oil Market Implications
Sources have told Reuters that Russia will be forced to cut its output as supplies build up and storage fills, when international demand for alternatives to Middle Eastern crude is high and it could be maximising the benefit to its economy of a surge in oil prices caused by the Iran war.
Uncertainty Over Damage Assessment
The two sources familiar with the situation could not be named because of the sensitivity of the issue. They said the port had yet to estimate the extent of the damage.
Previous Attacks and Terminal Operations
History of Attacks on the Black Sea Terminal
An attack on the Black Sea terminal early in March led to the suspension of loadings for five days.
Types of Oil Handled at Novorossiysk Port
Novorossiysk port loads Russian Urals and Kazakh KEBCO oil as well as sweet Siberian Light crude.
(Reporting by Reuters; editing by Barbara Lewis)
Key Takeaways
- •Sheskharis terminal, handling ~700,000 barrels/day, suspended loadings after a severe drone attack causing fire and damage, per Reuters sources.
- •This incident compounds recent crippling attacks on Russian oil export hubs—Ust‑Luga on the Baltic remains shut since late March—paralyzing nearly 40% of seaborne export capacity. (lemonde.fr)
- •The disruption may force oil output cuts as storage fills and export pipelines stall, narrowing Russia’s ability to capitalize on elevated oil prices amid heightened demand. (worldports.org)
References
Frequently Asked Questions about Russia's Black Sea's Sheskharis terminal halts loadings after drone attack, sources say
1Why were oil exports from Russia's Sheskharis terminal suspended?
Oil exports were suspended after a massive drone attack and subsequent fire damaged the Sheskharis terminal.
2How much oil does Sheskharis terminal usually load?
The Sheskharis terminal typically loads about 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
3What other Russian oil terminal has been affected by attacks?
Russia's major Baltic Ust-Luga port has also had its oil exports suspended after heavy drone strikes and fires.
4What impact could these attacks have on Russia's oil industry?
The attacks could force Russia to cut output as storage fills up, potentially affecting global oil supply and prices.
5What types of oil are loaded at Novorossiysk port?
Novorossiysk port loads Russian Urals, Kazakh KEBCO, and sweet Siberian Light crude.
