Ukraine drone attacks force Russia's Ust-Luga terminal to operate at half capacity

Russia’s Ust-Luga oil export terminal is expected to operate at roughly 350,000 barrels per day in September—about half of its normal capacity—following damage to pipeline infrastructure caused by Ukrainian drone attacks, two industry sources told Reuters.

The disruption highlights how recent Ukrainian strikes targeting key energy facilities are complicating Russian exports and could lead to broader supply interruptions.

The issues at Ust-Luga follow drone attacks earlier this month on the Unecha pumping station in Russia’s Bryansk region, a critical transit point for crude oil destined for Ust-Luga.

The strikes also impacted flows via the Druzhba pipeline, which supplies Belarus, Slovakia, and Hungary. Slovakia reported on Thursday that initial pipeline deliveries had resumed in test mode.

The sources did not identify which pipeline sustained the damage, but confirmed that repair work is underway, with no clear timeline for a full restoration of capacity.

As a result of the reduced output at Ust-Luga, some oil volumes are expected to be redirected to Russia’s Primorsk and Novorossiisk ports, which may help mitigate potential export losses.

By Tamilla Hasanova