Satellite Images Confirm Destruction of Oil-Export Infrastructure in Novorossiysk

Satellite images showing the aftermath of a combined attack on the Sheskharis oil export terminal in Novorossiysk confirm that key oil-pumping equipment was destroyed, forcing a suspension of oil exports.

The Exilenova+ Telegram channel published the satellite image.

According to the channel’s analysts, critical damage was inflicted on essential oil-handling infrastructure – including systems that measure oil quality and volume, as well as technological pipelines – at one of Russia’s largest oil export terminals.

“These components are among the most vulnerable in the entire facility. Damage to pipelines, loading racks, or pumping lines effectively shuts down any possibility of loading tankers, even if the storage tanks remain intact,” the analysts noted.

According to Suspilne’s sources within the Security Service of Ukraine, the attack damaged the oil-loading standers at the berths, the pipeline infrastructure, and the pumping units.

According to Reuters, the Russian port of Novorossiysk halted oil exports after Ukraine’s overnight attack on November 14. At the same time, Russia’s main pipeline operator, Transneft, was also forced to suspend crude oil deliveries to the port.

Satellite images from November 15 confirm that no vessels were docked at the oil terminal — a situation not seen during its normal operation.

According to industry sources cited by the outlet, in October, the volume of Russian crude oil transported through the Sheskharis terminal in Novorossiysk reached 3.22 million tonnes, or 761,000 barrels per day. Over the first ten months of the year, the figure totaled 24.716 million tonnes.

In addition to crude oil, 1.794 million tonnes of petroleum products were exported through Novorossiysk in October, and petroleum product exports for January–October totaled 16.783 million tonnes.

According to three industry sources, the Ukrainian attack affected two oil berths. Damage was inflicted on Berth 1 and Berth 1A, which service tankers with deadweights of 40,000 and 140,000 tonnes, respectively.

Two sources reported that the Arlan oil tanker, sailing under Sierra Leone flag, was also damaged during the attack. This vessel is part of the so-called “shadow fleet” and is under sanctions imposed by the United Kingdom, the EU, Switzerland, Canada, and Australia.

The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the strikes on targets in Novorossiysk were executed using Neptun cruise missiles and strike UAVs of various types.