Ukraine's Security Service strikes key Russian oil export preparation hub

Long-range drones operated by the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) struck the Samara oil pipeline hub in Russia on 13 November. The facility blends crude oil to produce Urals, Russia's main export crude blend.

Source: Security Service of Ukraine

Details: The SSU said drones operated by its Special Operations Centre Alpha had carried out the attack. The station, a linear production and dispatch facility, is located near Prosvet in Samara Oblast. Early reports confirmed that oil storage tanks had been hit.

According to the SSU, the Samara station is a key hub in Russia's oil transport network. It receives crude oil through trunk pipelines from Tatarstan, Western Siberia and other oil-producing regions.

Crude oils with different sulphur levels are blended at the station to produce Urals. The SSU said the blend accounts for up to half of Russia's total oil exports.

The service added that these attacks make it harder to prepare oil for export, transport it and store it.

Background: A new series of Ukrainian strikes on Russian oil refineries threatens to plunge Russia back into a fuel crisis. The strike campaign, which began in late October, may have paralysed facilities that produce about 55% of Russia's petrol.

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