- Category
- Latest news
Russia Cuts Ust-Luga Oil Exports by Half After Ukraine Drone Attacks Damage Pipeline
- Authors
![Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko]( "Photo of Dariia Mykhailenko")
Russia’s Ust-Luga oil export terminal is set to operate at only around 350,000 barrels per day in September—roughly half its normal capacity—after Ukrainian drone strikes damaged pipeline infrastructure, Reuters reported on August 28, citing industry sources.
According to Reuters, the disruption underscores how Ukrainian attacks on key energy facilities are complicating Russian export operations and may cause wider supply interruptions.
Earlier in August, Ukrainian drones struck the Unecha pumping station in Russia’s Bryansk region, a critical hub for crude shipments to Ust-Luga. The strike also disrupted flows through the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Belarus, Slovakia, and Hungary. Slovak authorities later confirmed that deliveries resumed in test mode.
The sources did not specify which pipeline segment was damaged but confirmed that repair work is underway, with no timeline given for full restoration.
According to Reuters, reduced throughput at Ust-Luga is expected to force Russia to divert oil volumes to its Primorsk and Novorossiisk ports in an effort to mitigate export losses.
Russian officials have yet to comment publicly on the scale of the damage or the impact on export schedules.
Previously, Russia raised crude oil exports from western ports to about 2 million barrels per day in August—200,000 barrels more than planned—after Ukrainian drone strikes forced refinery shutdowns, freeing up crude for shipment.
Export volumes remain uncertain as ongoing attacks and shifting repair schedules disrupt planning.
