Ukrainian Drones Strike Russia's Tuapse Oil Port, Damaging Terminal and Vessels

Major Drone Attack Hits Key Russian Oil Export Hub

In the early hours of Sunday, November 2, 2025, a Ukrainian drone attack struck the vital Tuapse oil port on Russia's Black Sea coast, resulting in significant damage to its oil terminal infrastructure and at least two foreign-flagged vessels. The assault triggered fires at the port, a critical facility for Russian petroleum exports.

Damage Assessment and Operational Impact

Russian authorities in the Krasnodar region confirmed that drone fragments impacted an oil tanker, damaging its deck superstructure and causing a fire. The crew of the tanker was safely evacuated. Fires also erupted at the port's oil-loading terminal, which is operated by RN-Morskoy Terminal Tuapse, a subsidiary of Russia's largest oil company, Rosneft. Reports indicated that at least four oil loading stands were disabled, and a substantial oil spill was observed in the water near Gizel-Dere, south of Tuapse. Beyond the primary targets, drone debris also caused damage to port buildings, a nearby railway station, and a residential building in the Sosnovyi settlement. No injuries were reported among the ship crews or civilians. The full operational status of the terminal following the attack remains unclear.

Ukrainian Attribution and Russian Response

Sources within Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) confirmed responsibility for the attack, stating that their Alpha special forces unit, in cooperation with other defense forces, carried out the operation. Ukraine has framed these strikes as retaliatory measures against Russia's ongoing attacks on its own energy infrastructure. In response, Russia's Defense Ministry claimed to have intercepted a large number of Ukrainian drones overnight, with figures varying across reports, including 32 drones over the Krasnodar region and 39 over the Black Sea.

Strategic Importance of Tuapse Port

The Tuapse oil port is a strategically significant facility, serving as a key southern outlet for Russia's crude oil and refined products. It processes approximately 240,000 barrels of oil per day and facilitates exports to countries including China, Malaysia, Singapore, and Turkey. The port and its associated Rosneft-controlled refinery have been targeted by Ukrainian drones multiple times throughout the year, underscoring their importance in Ukraine's campaign to disrupt Russia's war economy.