Russian oil companies may declare force majeure due to attacks on Baltic ports

Russian oil exporters have warned buyers of a possible declaration of force majeure regarding shipments through major Baltic Sea ports. 

According to Reuters, the reason was the ongoing attacks by Ukrainian drones on Russian energy infrastructure, particularly the port in Ust-Luga. Following another strike on March 27, 2026, a fire broke out at the port, and loading of crude oil has been suspended indefinitely. Industry sources suggest that exports from this terminal will not resume until mid-April at the earliest.

In addition to Ust-Luga, another major Baltic port—Primorsk—was hit; it only partially resumed operations on March 26. Leningrad Oblast Governor Alexander Drozdov stated that the intensity of drone attacks on the region, which began on March 22, was “unprecedented.” Systematic damage to infrastructure is forcing Russian companies to reconsider their commitments to international partners due to the inability to guarantee the safe shipment of oil and fuel. The situation is leading to significant logistical disruptions in Russia’s northwestern export corridor.

We previously reported that two Russian ports suspended operations following drone attacks. 

Large-scale fires engulfed the ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga in the Leningrad Oblast, which had been under attack for three consecutive days.