Russia’s Major Baltic Ports Suspend Oil Loadings After Massive Ukrainian Drone Strike Causes Fire

Russia’s major Baltic ports, Ust-Luga and Primorsk, have stopped loading crude oil and oil products after Ukraine carried out a large drone attack on Wednesday, March 25.

The strikes caused fires at storage tanks and loading facilities, sending black smoke high into the sky that could be seen from Finland.

The attacks are among the largest on Russia’s oil export facilities since the war began in February 2022.

Ukrainian forces have increased drone strikes on Russian ports and refineries in recent weeks to weaken the Russian war economy while peace talks brokered by the United States have stalled.

Alexander Drozdenko, governor of the Leningrad region, said the fire at Ust-Luga is being contained and no casualties were reported. He did not specify which part of the port was affected.

Videos posted online showed the blaze, which could be seen dozens of miles away across the Gulf of Finland.

Primorsk port, which can export more than 1 million barrels of crude per day, had also been attacked earlier this week and had temporarily halted operations.

Ust-Luga exported 32.9 million metric tons of oil products last year, while Primorsk handled 16.8 million tons. The ports are important for shipping Russia’s Urals crude and high-quality diesel.

Novatek PJSC’s facilities at Ust-Luga process gas condensate into oil products such as naphtha, jet fuel, and gasoil. The ports also have terminals for coal, fertilizers, and general cargo.

Russia’s defense ministry said its forces shot down 389 Ukrainian drones overnight, including over the Moscow region.

Earlier, Ukraine also targeted the Purga patrol icebreaker in the Vyborg shipyard, under construction for Russia’s border guard.

The conflict in the Middle East has already disrupted oil flows via the Strait of Hormuz, sending Brent crude above $100 per barrel.

Any sustained pause at Ust-Luga or Primorsk could reduce supply further and affect international shipping schedules and trade.

Meanwhile, Ukraine reported that Russian drone attacks damaged electricity and water facilities in Belgorod and Chernihiv regions, leaving hundreds of thousands without power.

Russian forces have continued strikes across Ukraine, including in Lviv, Ternopil, Kharkiv, and Dnipro regions, with more than 1,100 drones fired since Monday, according to Ukrainian authorities.

Ukraine’s attacks on Russia’s energy infrastructure aim to cut Kremlin oil revenue, which supports its invasion, and reduce fuel supplies to the frontlines.

References: Russia, Bloomberg