Ukrainian drones have hit Russia’s Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga for the fifth time in 10 days, as Kyiv intensifies its campaign against Russian oil export infrastructure.
Regional governor Alexander Drozdenko said on Tuesday that three people, including two children, were treated for injuries, while several buildings were damaged in the overnight strikes. In a Telegram post, he added that air-raid alerts in the area had been lifted but did not provide details on the extent of damage to the port.
Located on the southeastern shore of the Gulf of Finland, Ust-Luga is a major hub comprising oil-processing facilities and export terminals handling crude oil and refined products.
Authorities said the port was targeted on March 22, 25, 27, 29 and 31, disrupting export operations. Data indicates the port exported 32.9 million metric tonnes of oil products last year and typically processes around 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day.
In recent weeks, Ukraine has escalated its strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure, carrying out some of the heaviest drone attacks of the war on Baltic ports including Ust-Luga and Primorsk.
Efforts to negotiate an end to the war have stalled amid the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, raising concerns in Kyiv that Western military support could be diverted elsewhere.
Meanwhile, oil prices have climbed to their highest level in nearly two weeks, with Brent crude surpassing $116 per barrel as tensions rise across multiple fronts.
According to calculations cited by Reuters, at least 40 percent of Russia’s oil export capacity has been disrupted due to drone strikes, a contested pipeline incident, and tanker seizures.
via Reuters
