Russia Halts Oil Exports From Key Novorossiysk Port. Satellite Images Reveal Why

New satellite imagery confirms that a Ukrainian overnight strike on the Sheskharis oil terminal in Novorossiysk disabled critical export infrastructure, halting crude shipments from one of Russia’s largest Black Sea hubs.

Satellite photographs published on November 15 show extensive damage to key loading and pumping systems at the Sheskharis facility, a terminal that handles millions of tons of Russian crude and petroleum products every month.

According to Exilenova+, which released the imagery, the strike affected multiple components involved in transferring oil to tankers, including measurement systems, technological pipelines, and other loading infrastructure.

Analysts from Exilenova+ reported that “these nodes are among the most vulnerable in the entire complex,” noting that the destruction of pipelines, trestles, or pumping lines effectively stops tanker loading operations even if storage tanks remain intact.

Reuters, referencing industry sources, reported that Russia suspended oil exports from the Novorossiysk port immediately after the Ukrainian strike on the night of November 14. The agency added that the country’s pipeline operator Transneft also halted crude deliveries to the terminal.

Satellite images from November 15 show no tankers moored at the terminal—an unusual development for a port that typically operates continuously.

According to Reuters, the Sheskharis terminal moved 3.22 million tons of crude in October, or about 761,000 barrels per day. Between January and October, throughput reached 24.7 million tons.

Industry sources told Reuters that the strike affected two oil-handling berths—Berth 1 and Berth 1A—which service tankers with deadweights of 40,000 and 140,000 tons.

Two sources also reported that a Sierra Leone–flagged tanker, Arlan, sustained damage during the attack. The vessel is associated with the so-called “shadow fleet” and is under sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom, the European Union, Switzerland, Canada, and Australia.

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War in Ukraine

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Novorossiysk is a key outlet for Russian crude exports to global markets. Any prolonged disruption at Sheskharis affects not only direct shipments but also the wider logistics chain feeding southern Russian ports.

Alongside crude, the terminal also handles significant volumes of refined products—Reuters reported 1.79 million tons exported in October and 16.78 million tons during the first ten months of the year.

Earlier, multiple drones reportedly struck an oil refinery in the Russian city of Ryazan, triggering explosions and a large fire visible near residential areas. Local sources shared videos showing flashes, smoke, and flames rising from the industrial site.

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