Oil tankers leave Russia's Tuapse and head to Novorossiysk as drone strike threat grows
Illustrative photo: ship traffic into Novorossiysk port rose by 20% today (Getty Images)
Over the past 24 hours, activity at the port of Tuapse has dropped by half compared to average levels. According to data from VesselFinder, only three vessels entered the port, according to Novaya Gazeta.
Among the arriving vessels, at least one oil tanker was recorded, which is currently anchored offshore. Another vessel of the same type departed the port during the day. According to the schedule, two more ships are expected to arrive by the end of the day, including a cargo vessel from Istanbul.
At the same time, activity is increasing at the port of Novorossiysk, located about 160 km from Tuapse. On April 20, 26 ships entered the port — about 20% more than in previous days.
A similar number of vessels is expected over the next 24 hours. The main flow consists of oil tankers, bulk carriers, and container vessels.
Strikes on the Tuapse refinery
Overnight, Ukraine’s Defense Forces carried out another strike on an oil terminal in Tuapse, Russia. A hit on the tank farm was recorded, followed by a fire at the site.
Earlier, on April 16, air defenses were active in Russia’s Krasnodar region, with reports of explosions and fires in Tuapse, including at the port and an oil depot. Reports on social media said at least two oil storage tanks at the Tuapse refinery were burning.
Local authorities confirmed a drone attack on Tuapse. It was also reported that numerous fragments fell on industrial facilities near the seaport.
Before that, Ukraine’s Defense Forces struck the Tuapse refinery on the night of December 31, damaging a primary oil processing unit and deep-processing installations.
Earlier, in November, drones hit oil-loading infrastructure at the Russian seaport in Tuapse. Residents reported explosions in the city, and a drone alert remained in place for nearly eight hours.
