The Kernel oil terminal, located in the port of Chornomorsk, suffered significant damage following a night-time kamikaze drone attack on May 3. As a result, the terminal was forced to completely suspend its operations.
This is reported by Finway
Extent of Damage and Consequences for the Company
Due to the direct hits from the drones, a large fire broke out on the terminal’s premises, engulfing part of the facility’s production capacities. Storage tanks were damaged, resulting in over 1100 tons of sunflower oil leaking. According to the company, marine pollution was avoided thanks to prompt measures.
Additionally, the fire and debris from the drones caused damage to technological equipment, administrative buildings, logistics infrastructure, and four railway tankers. One employee was injured in the attack, sustaining moderate injuries.
Impact on Ukrainian Oil Exports and the Global Market
Kernel is a key agricultural exporter of Ukraine, accounting for about 10% of the world’s sunflower oil exports. In the 2025 financial year, the company exported over 8 million tons of agricultural products to foreign markets, which constitutes one-tenth of the country’s total foreign currency earnings from commodity exports.
“Kernel is the largest agricultural exporter in Ukraine, responsible for 10% of the world’s sunflower oil exports. In the 2025 financial year, the company supplied 8 million tons of agricultural products to international markets and accounted for 10% of the foreign currency earnings from the country’s total commodity exports.”
The attack on the infrastructure occurred amid competition in the global market: Ukraine remains the leading exporter of sunflower oil, while Russia is the second largest. The destruction of Ukrainian export capacities weakens the country’s economic position and creates advantages for Russian producers in the global market.
The stability of the Ukrainian agro-industrial complex depends on sunflower oil exports, as domestic consumption of this product does not exceed 300 thousand tons per year. A significant portion of the exports is directed to the Middle East, where demand is further increasing due to military actions in Iran. Following the terminal’s shutdown, Kernel plans to redirect shipments through partner terminals in Odesa, on the Danube, and also utilize rail transport to ensure supply deliveries.