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31 March, 12:11
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Ukraine strikes Russia’s key oil port in Baltic Sea for fourth time in a week

Ukrainian drones on Tuesday struck Russia’s Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga in Leningrad region for the fourth time in the past week. The drones hit an oil terminal in the port, likely further complicating Russia’s difficulties in exporting crude oil.

The drone attacks on Ust-Luga and the strike on a major pipeline in the area have halted at least 40% of Russia’s oil export capacity. Overall, the strikes on the port have reduced oil exports to record low since the start of Russia’s full-fledged invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, causing financial losses exceeding $1 billion, according to a Bloomberg report. Thus, as a result of Ukrainian attacks, Russia’s seaborne oil shipment has sharply declined by 1.75 million barrels per day, falling to 2.32 million barrels daily over the past week.

Leningrad region’s governor Alexander Drozdenko reported that three individuals—including two children—received medical treatment for injuries, and a number of buildings sustained damage during the overnight strikes.

In a Telegram update posted at 04:09 GMT, he noted that air-raid warnings across the region had been lifted. He later added that the consequences of the attack on Ust-Luga had been fully addressed, stating that essential services such as heating and hot water had been restored to homes and other facilities.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov described the strikes as “terrorist attacks,” emphasizing that efforts are ongoing to safeguard Russia’s key infrastructure. He acknowledged, however, that complete protection is not possible, while stressing that extensive measures are being implemented—not only at the port but across all vital infrastructure sites—during his regular briefing with journalists.

Earlier, on Monday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said he had received signals that Kyiv’s western allies had sent “signals” about possibility of reducing long-range strikes targeting Russia’s oil facilities amid the crisis in global oil sector.