Russia’s key Baltic oil export terminals at Ust-Luga and Primorsk have been largely unable to handle shipments following a series of Ukrainian drone attacks, forcing refineries to seek alternative routes.
Industry sources say the attacks, which intensified in the last two weeks of March, caused significant damage to port infrastructure. Ust-Luga alone was reportedly hit at least five times within a 10-day period.
As a result, exports have been severely disrupted. Traders noted that since March 22, refineries have been unable to deliver diesel fuel to Primorsk, cutting off one of the country’s main export channels.
“Diesel fuel has not been accepted in Primorsk since then,” one source said, adding that authorities have promised to restore operations.
The disruptions are already putting pressure on Russia’s oil production, with analysts warning that reduced export capacity and refinery bottlenecks could lead to output cuts.
To cope, refineries are now turning to more expensive alternatives, including rail transport to other terminals. Some shipments are being redirected to Vysotsk on the Gulf of Finland or to Taman on the Black Sea. However, both options come with challenges—Vysotsk has limited capacity, while Taman requires significantly more rail logistics.
Data from Finnish maritime officials shows the scale of the disruption: shipments from Primorsk and Ust-Luga have dropped sharply, from an average of 40 to 50 vessels per week to just a handful.
The situation highlights the growing impact of the conflict on global energy supply chains, as infrastructure attacks begin to affect Russia’s ability to move oil to international markets.
