Russian seaborne crude oil exports have declined for five consecutive weeks, impacted by Ukrainian drone attacks and threats to Black Sea infrastructure.
Key facts
- •Russian seaborne crude oil exports reached an average of 3.58 million barrels per day in the four weeks ending August 16.
- •The decline marks the fifth consecutive week of falling shipments, the largest drop since the 2022 invasion began.
- •A Ukrainian attack on the port of Novorossiysk on Wednesday halted crude loading operations.
- •Approximately 1.22 million barrels per day were shipped to China during the four-week period.
- •While previous refinery attacks increased crude exports by freeing up unrefined oil, new attacks now target export ports and vessels directly.
Russian seaborne crude oil exports have dropped to their lowest level since late April, according to data reported by Bloomberg. Shipments have fallen for five consecutive weeks, marking the largest decline in a comparable period since the start of the invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
By the numbers
Impact of Infrastructure Attacks
In the four weeks ending August 16, Russia exported an average of 3.58 million barrels per day. The decline intensified last week when crude oil loading was halted at Novorossiysk, a strategic Black Sea port targeted by a Ukrainian drone attack on Wednesday. While some facilities resumed operations over the weekend, recent attacks have shifted focus toward ports and export vessels, limiting the ability to redirect crude that cannot be refined domestically.
Export Destinations and Trends
Despite the recent five-week decline, average export levels for 2026 remain higher than those recorded at the beginning of the invasion. Russia continues to supply significant volumes to Asia, with approximately 1.22 million barrels per day destined for China. Tracking data for India remains difficult to verify, as many tankers update their final destinations only at the last moment.
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This article was independently rewritten by ManyPress editorial AI from reporting originally published by N1 Info.
