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Russia's Transneft seeks to redirect oil from attacked ports, Interfax reports

Published by Global Banking & Finance Review

Posted on March 26, 2026

2 min read

· Last updated: April 1, 2026

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Russia's Transneft seeks to redirect oil from attacked ports, Interfax reports
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MOSCOW, March 26 (Reuters) - Russia's oil pipeline monopoly Transneft will try to redirect oil exports from the Baltic Sea ports, damaged by drone attacks, Interfax news agency reported on Thursday,

Transneft Plans Rerouting After Drone Attacks Halt Russian Oil Exports

Impact and Response to Drone Attacks on Russian Oil Exports

MOSCOW, March 26 (Reuters) - Russia's oil pipeline monopoly Transneft will try to redirect oil exports from the Baltic Sea ports, damaged by drone attacks, Interfax news agency reported on Thursday, citing the head of the company.

According to Reuters calculations based on market data, at least 40% of Russia's oil export capacity is at a halt following Ukrainian drone attacks, a disputed attack on a major pipeline and the seizure of tankers.

Details of the Drone Attacks

Ukrainian drones attacked this week the Baltic Sea ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga, major hubs for Russian oil exports, forcing them to suspend loadings, industry sources told Reuters.

Transneft's Response and Challenges

"Redirecting such volumes at short notice is difficult. These are significant amounts," Transneft's CEO Nikolai Tokarev is quoted by Interfax as saying.

"As for our company, we will try to do everything possible as quickly as we can," he said.

Tokarev did not say if the ports halted operations.

Significance of Affected Ports

Primorsk: Major Outlet for Urals Crude

PRIMORSK IS MAJOR OUTLET FOR URALS CRUDE

Primorsk, which is able to export more than 1 million barrels of crude oil per day, is a major outlet for Russia's flagship Urals crude and high-quality diesel.

Export Volumes from Ust-Luga and Primorsk

According to sources, Ust-Luga exported 32.9 million metric tons of oil products last year, and Primorsk 16.8 million tons.

Reporting and Editorial Credits

(Reporting by Maxim Rodionov; Writing by Anastasia Teterevleva; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Barbara Lewis)

Key Takeaways

  • Ukraine's drone attacks have incapacitated key Baltic ports—Primorsk and Ust‑Luga—halting an estimated 40% of Russia’s oil export capacity (reddit.com).
  • Primorsk handles roughly two‑thirds of Baltic export voyages, with Ust‑Luga handling about a third; redirecting these volumes swiftly poses logistical strain (brookings.edu).
  • Historical data shows Ust‑Luga capacity has previously dropped to half or less after drone or pipeline attacks, with volumes diverted to Primorsk and Novorossiysk (logistics.maritimeprofessional.com)

References

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is Transneft redirecting Russian oil exports?
Transneft is redirecting oil exports because drone attacks have damaged key Baltic Sea ports, halting a significant portion of Russia's oil export capacity.
Which ports were affected by the drone attacks?
The Baltic Sea ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga, key hubs for Russian oil exports, were affected by the Ukrainian drone attacks.
How significant is the export capacity loss for Russia?
At least 40% of Russia's oil export capacity is at a halt following the attacks on ports and pipelines.
What products do Primorsk and Ust-Luga export?
Primorsk mainly exports Urals crude and high-quality diesel, while Ust-Luga exported 32.9 million metric tons of oil products last year.
What actions is Transneft taking in response to the attacks?
Transneft will attempt to redirect oil exports from the affected ports as quickly as possible, according to the company CEO.

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