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Drone attack halts Novorossiysk crude exports, strikes Sheskharis terminal

8/15/2026

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Drone Attack Suspends Exports

A drone attack hit Russia’s Sheskharis oil terminal in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, suspending crude exports on August 14, 2026.
The shutdown resulted from storage tanks reaching full capacity, so the terminal halted further oil acceptance after loading stopped.
A tanker departed early on Friday after an attempted drone attack on the terminal.
Novorossiysk authorities issued a fresh drone alert for residents, indicating an ongoing threat.

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Drone Strike

A drone strike hit the Sheskharis oil terminal in Novorossiysk on Friday, August 14, 2026, halting Russia’s crude oil exports.
The attack killed an eight-year-old child, injured dozens, and damaged grain terminals, sparking worries about civilian safety and food security.
Debris from downed drones damaged dozens of homes and four industrial plants in Krasnodar region.
One of Novorossiysk’s three grain terminals ceased operations, cutting the port’s grain-handling capacity.

History

Historical Context

On 14 September 2019 Houthi-aligned forces struck Saudi Aramco’s Abqaiq and Khurais facilities, cutting about 5.7 million barrels per day—over 5 % of global supply—and prompting the kingdom to postpone Aramco’s planned IPO. The attack echoed earlier regional proxy wars, such as Iran-backed missile strikes on Saudi oil sites, and underscored the vulnerability of energy hubs, a risk highlighted again by the 14 August 2026 drone hit on Russia’s Sheskharis terminal.

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Drone Attack Suspends Exports

A drone attack hit Russia’s Sheskharis oil terminal in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, suspending crude exports on August 14, 2026.
The shutdown resulted from storage tanks reaching full capacity, so the terminal halted further oil acceptance after loading stopped.
A tanker departed early on Friday after an attempted drone attack on the terminal.
Novorossiysk authorities issued a fresh drone alert for residents, indicating an ongoing threat.

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