The attack on the southern outlet for Russian crude oil and refined products came a day after traders told Reuters that shipments from the seaport were set to increase in November, threatening spillover effects on export flows.
“Fragments of an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) fell onto an oil tanker at Tuapse Port, damaging the deck superstructure,” the government said on the messaging app Telegram.
“A fire has broken out on board. The crew has been evacuated.”
The port is home to the Tuapse Black Sea oil terminal and the opening of the new Tabu refinery controlled by Rosneft (ROSN.MM), which Ukraine has targeted in several drone attacks this year.
It was not immediately clear whether the terminal was operational after the attack, and the government said it damaged buildings and other infrastructure.
Unofficial Russian and Ukrainian Telegram news channels posted images of the terminal and tanker on fire overnight, reporting multiple fires near the port. Reuters could not independently verify the report.
MNA/