Drone strikes - Taman Port, Russia

Dear Client,
Please find below our most recent Flash Report. If you have any queries about our reports please contact us at africaops@castorvali.com.

Incident Details

Incident Date & Time:

22 December 2025, 1200 UTC

Location:

Taman Port, Russia

Latitude/Longitude: 

45° 7' 60.00" N, 36° 40' 4.20" E

Vessel Type, Name, Flag, IMO and Status:

Tanker, berthed

Incident Type:

Drone strikes

Crew status

No injuries reported

Incident Details

Description

Open-source reports indicate that Ukrainian drones struck Taman port, Russia this afternoon. Initial reports indicate that two Tankers berthed at the port, the adjoining piers, the pipeline connecting the terminal to the port, and two storage tanks sustained damage. Exact location and time were not specified in initial reports.

Key findings

This drone strike represents a significant escalation in Ukraine's targeting of Russian energy infrastructure, specifically focusing on critical petroleum export facilities. The precision targeting of both vessels and supporting infrastructure (piers, pipelines, storage tanks) suggests a coordinated attack designed to maximize operational disruption rather than simply symbolic damage. The ability to simultaneously damage multiple targets indicates either the use of multiple drones in a swarm attack or highly accurate munitions. The targeting of berthed tankers is particularly significant as it threatens both the vessels and the port's operational capacity, potentially creating secondary hazards from fuel spillage or fires.

The strike's timing and location at Taman port, a key Black Sea energy export hub, demonstrates Ukraine's expanding capability to project force against Russian maritime infrastructure deep within Russian territory. This incident follows a pattern of Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy facilities but represents a notable expansion to include vessels alongside shore-based infrastructure, blurring the lines between attacks on military and civilian maritime assets.

Recommendations

- Vessels in Russian ports should maintain heightened alert status and consider expedited departure procedures when possible.
-  Port authorities should implement enhanced air defense measures and early warning systems for approaching UAVs.
- Tankers should avoid extended berthing periods at strategic energy terminals and consider alternative loading locations.

Explore More From Castor Vali

Disclaimer
You have received this report as part of your organisation’s subscription. Castor Vali assessment and advice is given based on the information received and processed by us and the surrounding circumstances known to us to exist at the time. Subsequent changes to relevant information or the surrounding circumstances may affect the reliability of our assessment and advice, but we do not accept responsibility for that effect. We do not accept responsibility for the outcome of any action taken or not taken as a result of our assessment and advice unless the possibility of that action being taken or not taken is set out in specific terms in our instructions.

UK Global Head Office: Castor Vali Ltd
Davidson House, Forbury Square, Reading, RG1 3EU, United Kingdom

West Africa Regional Headquarters: Castor Vali Nigeria
No 56a Akintude Adeyemi Drive, Off Chief
Collins Street, Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, Nigeria

East Africa Regional Headquarters: Castor Vali Africa (Kenya)
Unit B, Northern Wing, 2nd Floor, Nairobi Business Park, Ngong Road,
Nairobi, Kenya. PO Box +254 711 105 879 – 00505

United Kingdom | Nigeria | Ghana | Somalia | Kenya | Tanzania | Zanzibar |
Mozambique | South Africa | Mauritius | Dubai

Operations Centre (24 Hrs): +254 (0) 20 440 9614 | +254 (0) 711 105 879
info@castorvali.com