Ukraine Attacks Russia’s Petroleum Export Hub Of Ust-Luga For Second Time In A Week
Our take
A major Russian oil port was damaged in a Ukrainian drone attack, which led to a fire. This is the second time in a week that Ukraine has attacked Ust-Luga Port, in an operation led by the Alpha Special Forces Unit.
Videos and photos of the incident showed flames rising into the sky from the terminal and severe damage to storage tanks and administrative buildings in the port premises.
Regional governor Aleksandr Drozdenko said that Ukraine is targeting key facilities in northwestern Russia along the Baltic Sea, attacking energy infrastructure such as Primorsk and Ust-Luga, igniting oil tanks, and forcing authorities to suspend cargo loadings.
He also said that last night, around 36 drones were downed over the Leningrad Oblast, making it the fifth night when Ukrainian drones attacked the Oblast.
On March 27, 2025, residents heard explosions near the oil terminals off the Baltic Sea, after which they were warned of more drone attacks in the region.
Ust-Luga is one of the biggest Russian ports on the Baltic Sea coast and a principal crude oil export facility.
It lies west of St Petersburg and is a major revenue generator for Russia. It is not the only facility that came under attack recently.
On March 26, the Kirishi Petroleum Organic Synthesis (Kinef) oil refinery in the city of Kirishi, southeast of St Petersburg, was also attacked.
Before that, Ukraine also hit a military icebreaker in Vyborg, with pictures of the ship showing it kneeling over.
Ukraine has used low-cost long-range drones to crack down on Russian oil terminals, refineries and other strategic infrastructure to prevent the Russian war machine from functioning.
Per Reuters, atleast 40% of Russia’s oil shipping capacity has stopped after continuous Ukrainian drone attacks.
Additionally, the attacks came after the U.S. allowed countries to buy Russian oil to stabilise the energy prices, as the US-Iran war has led to the closure of the Strait of Hormuz, making oil shipments difficult as tankers remain stranded on either side of the maritime chokepoint.
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