Ukrainian Drone Strike Damages Tankers And Port Infrastructure At Russia’s Taman Port

A Ukrainian drone attack damaged two vessels and key port infrastructure at Russia’s Black Sea port of Taman in the Krasnodar region, causing a large fire and forcing the evacuation of crews, Russian regional authorities said on Monday.

Officials in the Krasnodar region reported that the attack struck the Volna terminal, where two tankers and two piers were damaged.

Authorities said a connecting pipeline at the terminal and two fuel storage tanks were also affected. Emergency services reported that the fire spread over an area of around 1,500 square metres and was still being tackled several hours after the incident.

The Krasnodar region’s operational headquarters said all crew members on board the vessels were safely evacuated. Officials added that there were no reports of injuries or oil spills following the attack.

Firefighters managed to extinguish flames on the piers and one tanker, while efforts continued to control the fire on the fuel oil supply pipeline.

The village of Volna, where the terminal is located, lies close to the Kerch Strait and near the Crimean Bridge, a critical transport link connecting mainland Russia with Crimea.

The bridge is considered a major logistical route for Russian forces. Crimea was annexed by Russia from Ukraine in 2014.

Russian authorities said the attack caused damage to port infrastructure and vessels, describing it as another strike on the country’s commodities assets.

The port of Taman handles a wide range of cargo, including oil, liquefied petroleum gas, grain and fertilisers, and is a key hub for Russia’s Black Sea exports.

Ukraine has repeatedly targeted the Krasnodar region with drone attacks, focusing on refineries, fuel depots, ports and airfields.

The Black Sea region is strategically important for Russia’s energy exports and military logistics and lies within drone range of southern Ukraine.

Ukrainian military authorities recently reported a strike on a Lukoil-operated drilling platform at the Filanovsky field in the Caspian Sea.

Kyiv also said it had targeted a Russian oil tanker believed to be part of the country’s shadow fleet in the Mediterranean Sea.

Russia, meanwhile, has continued strikes on Ukrainian port cities. Ukrainian authorities said recent attacks on the southern port of Odesa damaged energy infrastructure, leaving around 120,000 people without electricity.

References: Bloomberg, Reuters

Source: Maritime Shipping News