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Ukrainian Drone Strike Allegedly Disrupts Major Russian Oil Export Hub

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Ukrainian Drone Strike Allegedly Disrupts Major Russian Oil Export Hub
Absorber columns at the Gazprom PJSC Slavyanskaya compressor station in Ust-Luga, Russia, on Thursday, Jan. 28, 2021. (Source: Getty Images)

Oil shipments through Russia’s Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga have reportedly slowed, sparking speculation about a potential Ukrainian drone strike on a key pumping station. If confirmed, this could disrupt oil supplies from the port, a vital hub for Russia’s seaborne oil exports, according to Bloomberg reports on January 30.

Shipping data analyzed by Bloomberg shows that oil flows from Ust-Luga dropped to zero, with a tanker leaving early on Wednesday but a noticeable gap in vessel activity afterward. No official explanation has been provided for the decrease, as it’s not uncommon for vessels to have periods without loading.

According to Bloomberg, a Ukrainian security official claimed that drones had struck the Andreapol pumping station on the Baltic Pipeline System-2, which supplies Ust-Luga. If accurate, this would explain the halt in oil flows, though the information could not be independently verified at the time. Russia’s oil-pipeline operator declined to comment.

Ust-Luga is a crucial port, handling around 650,000 barrels of crude oil per day in 2024, making up approximately 20% of Russia’s total seaborne exports. While the slowdown raises concerns, experts note that stored oil may help mitigate the disruption’s impact.

Recently, oil flows from Ust-Luga have been on the decline, coinciding with a reported temporary incident at the Unecha pump station near Belarus. However, its connection to the current issue remains unclear.

Previously, The Security Service of Ukraine and Special Operations Forces targeted the Andreapol oil pumping station and a missile arsenal in Russia’s Tver region with drones.

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