Strikes by the Ukrainian Defense Forces on the Russian oil sector have ceased to be merely targeted actions. According to Dmitry Pletenchuk, spokesperson for the Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU), these actions have dealt a systemic blow to the main revenue-generating industry of the Russian Federation, undermining the very basis of war financing. He stated this in an interview on the FREEDOM TV channel.

Logistics Collapse and Loss of 20% of Exports

The key factor was the cessation of operations at the Tuapse Oil Refinery and the adjacent Rosneft sea terminal. Following a series of massive drone attacks by Ukraine, oil shipments from this hub have completely stopped. "Last month, Tuapse did not ship any oil at all. Considering that approximately 20% of Russian oil was shipped by tankers from here, this is serious," Pletenchuk emphasized. He reminded that the Tuapse port is the largest in the Russian Federation, and its shutdown creates a colossal vacuum in the country's export capabilities.

Technological Deadlock: Why Oil Cannot Simply Be Rerouted

The Navy representative pointed out a hidden threat to the Russian economy that goes beyond the simple loss of revenue. The problem lies in the technological rigidity of the oil infrastructure. "The loss of such export opportunities will affect the overall picture. Because you cannot simply transfer this oil, for example, to the Ust-Luga port on the Baltic. It doesn't work that way," Pletenchuk explained. The infrastructure was built over decades and was designed for stable operation and specific routes. When there is nowhere to ship the oil, it triggers a chain reaction that affects the entire industry, including extraction itself, which cannot simply be stopped due to logistical problems.

Balance of Power and Scale of Destruction

The Tuapse Oil Refinery is the only plant of such scale on the Black Sea coast, with a capacity of about 12 million tons of oil per year. It serves as a critical hub linking extraction, refining, and export. The chronology of the strikes demonstrates the consistency and effectiveness of the Ukrainian side's actions:
  • April 28: Triple drone strike on the oil terminal. Massive fire, evacuation of residents, destruction of 24 tanks.
  • April 30: Satellite images confirmed extensive damage to infrastructure.
  • May 1: New strike on the refinery, a large fire broke out.
  • Night of May 27: Repeated strike on the plant, fire and smoke were recorded.

At present, the plant's operations are effectively suspended, causing long-term damage to Russia's logistical system.