MOSCOW, April 23 (Reuters) - A fire broke out at a Transneft oil-pumping station that delivers crude to Russia's largest export terminal in the Baltic port of Primorsk, after a drone attack on
Transneft Pumping Station Fire After Drone Attack Disrupts Russian Oil Supply
Drone Attack Sparks Fire and Disrupts Russian Oil Infrastructure
Incident Overview
MOSCOW, April 23 (Reuters) - A fire broke out at a Transneft oil-pumping station that delivers crude to Russia's largest export terminal in the Baltic port of Primorsk, after a drone attack on Thursday, two sources said.
The Gorky pumping station in Russia’s Nizhny Novgorod region also provides crude for processing at oil plants in Moscow, Yaroslavl and Kirishi, one of the sources said.
Transneft did not reply to a Reuters request for comment.
Context and Background
Impact of Ongoing Conflicts on Oil Supply
As peace talks to end the war in Ukraine have stalled and war in the Middle East has driven up the price of oil, potentially providing revenue for Russia's war effort, Ukraine has increased attacks on crucial Russian energy infrastructure - which accounts for about a quarter of Russian budget revenue.
Responsibility for the Attack
Ukraine's SBU security service said Ukrainian drones were responsible for Thursday's attack on the pumping station.
Regional Impact and Damage Assessment
Statements from Local Authorities
Regional Governor Gleb Nikitin also said earlier on Thursday an industrial facility in the Kstovo district of Russia's Nizhny Novgorod region was damaged and caught fire overnight after being hit by debris from Ukrainian drones. He did not specify that it was the Gorky pumping station.
Extent of the Damage
Oil Storage Tanks Affected
According to sources, who could not be named because they were not authorised to speak publicly, the drone attack set fire to at least two of the four oil storage tanks, each with a capacity of 50,000 cubic metres.
Previous Incidents
In February a drone attack caused a fire at the Kaleykino pumping station near the city of Almetyevsk in Tatarstan region, located further east on the same Transneft pipeline, forcing the pipeline monopoly to take less crude into its system.
(Reporting by Reuters; editing by Barbara Lewis)
