19 Nov
The Black Sea has entered one of its most dangerous periods, with Ukraine and Russia escalating long-range attacks on key energy and port facilities. As both sides intensify strikes far from the frontline, commercial shipping now faces unprecedented exposure to operational and security risks.
Ukraine claims new successful hits on major Russian refineries, including Rosneft’s large Ryazan complex — struck for the second time in a month — and the Novokuybyshevsk plant in Samara. Kyiv says core crude-processing units, storage tanks and pipeline structures were affected. While Russian regional authorities confirmed overnight drone activity, they have offered few details on the scale of the damage.
Russia has answered with heavy attacks on Ukraine’s southern coastline. A massive overnight strike on Odesa set port-side energy facilities ablaze and damaged several civilian vessels alongside the docks. One major port has switched to emergency power while engineers attempt rapid restoration. The growing tit-for-tat strikes are creating a highly unstable environment for maritime commerce.
The volatility is directly impacting shipping. Novorossiysk, Russia’s largest Black Sea oil hub, suspended exports for 48 hours after a combined Ukrainian drone and cruise-missile attack that temporarily removed 2.2 million barrels per day from global supply. In Odesa, vessels have reported drones passing dangerously close, while ports remain under Security Level 3 with strict crew-safety measures. With refineries deep inland and coastal terminals simultaneously under fire, the Black Sea has become a contested logistics corridor where both sides aim to disrupt fuel flows and export routes.
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Source: Article by Sam Chambers via splash247.com
