Vladimir Putin smiles at Iran’s Supreme Leader, November 1, 2017
EA-Ukraine VideoCast: Kyiv’s Squeeze on Russia’s Oil Exports
EA-Times Radio VideoCast: Trump Camp’s Lack of Intelligence From Iran to Ukraine
Tuesday’s Coverage: Kyiv’s Attacks Tighten Grip on Russia’s Oil Exports
UPDATE 1040 GMT:
Sources have confirmed the suspension of crude oil exports from Sheskharis terminal in the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in southwest Russia, following a Ukrainian drone attack and large fire.
The port handles around 35% of Russia’s maritime oil exports, loading 700,000 barrels a day of crude oil.
The Ukrainian military said it struck the oil terminal in the Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga in northwest Russia on Tuesday, the fifth attack in two weeks.
Ukraine’s General Staff said it has preliminary confirmation of damage to three storage tanks belonging to the Transneft-Baltika company.
Ust-Luga and the fellow Baltic port of Primorsk had already halted their handling of oil exports amid the Ukrainian attacks. The two ports move around 40% of Russian maritime oil exports.
Ukraine’s intelligence services say Russian satellites have helped Tehran target American bases and troops in the Middle East during the US-Israel War on Iran.
An intelligence assessment summarized detailed imagery of military facilities and critical sites that Russia provided to the Iranians.
At least 24 surveys of areas in 11 Middle Eastern countries, from March 21 to 31, covered 46 objects including the military bases of the US and its allies, airports, and oilfields. Within days of the surveys, military bases and headquarters were targeted by Iranian ballistic missiles and drones.
Russian satellites are also surveying the Strait of Hormuz, say the Ukrainians, a “western military source”, and a “regional security official”.
The regional official confirmed that the Russians obtained satellite imagery of the Prince Sultan airbase in Saudi Arabia, days before Iran struck the facility on March 27. The attack destroyed an E-3 Sentry airborne warning and control system aircraft and injured at least 12 troops.
The next day a Russian satellite assessed the damage.
