Ukrainian drones have again damaged Russia’s key Baltic Sea oil port of Ust-Luga, adding to pressure on Russian export capacity.
MOSCOW: Ukrainian drones have again damaged Russia’s Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga, the governor of the Leningrad region said. The overnight attack potentially adds to Russia’s difficulties in exporting oil.
Kyiv has intensified strikes on Russian oil export infrastructure over the past month. These represent its heaviest drone assaults of the war against the Baltic ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk.
At least 40% of Russia’s oil export capacity has been halted due to drone attacks, a disputed pipeline strike, and tanker seizures. This is according to Reuters calculations based on market data.
Leningrad Governor Alexander Drozdenko said three people, including two children, were treated for injuries. He added that several buildings were damaged in the overnight attacks.
In a Telegram message, he said air-raid alerts in the region had been lifted. He gave no details on damage to the port itself.
Ust-Luga is a sprawling complex of oil-processing facilities and export terminals on the Gulf of Finland. It handles crude oil and oil products.
The port exported 32.9 million metric tons of oil products last year, according to source-based data. It typically handles about 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
Authorities say Ust-Luga was also hit on March 22, 25, 27, and 29. These attacks have forced suspensions of export operations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said some allies had sent “signals” about scaling back long-range strikes on Russia’s oil sector. This comes as global energy prices have surged.
