Ukraine Targets Russia’s Key Baltic Oil Hub Ust-Luga in Latest Drone Strike
Ukrainian drones hit Russia’s Ust-Luga Baltic Sea port, causing fires and disrupting operations. Authorities reported multiple attacks on oil infrastructure.
POLICY WIRE — Kyiv, Ukraine — Ukrainian forces carried out a significant nighttime assault on the Ust-Luga port complex on the Baltic Sea, monitoring channels reported on Nov. 11.
This facility, located in the Leningrad Oblast of western Russia, is a critical node for the nation’s petroleum export network.
Regional authorities have recently confirmed damage to the site during earlier engagements. In one instance, Governor Alexander Drozdenko acknowledged a fire outbreak at the terminal following overnight targeting, as relayed by the Astra Telegram channel.
Previous reports from early September indicated that drone operations had inflicted structural damage on the same Ust-Luga infrastructure.
Another significant incident occurred on Aug. 14, when 54 drones were deployed against the port, resulting in a large-scale fire and a temporary halt to shipping operations.
That August strike is recognized as at least the sixth instance this year in which Kyiv has targeted Russia’s lucrative oil export facilities.
Russian officials also suspended certain activities at Ust-Luga and the neighboring Primorsk hub, according to reporting by Reuters, which cited two unnamed sources.
These continued operations reflect an intensified Ukrainian campaign aimed at degrading Moscow’s ability to monetize its energy sector.
Reporting by Policy-Wire (PW)
