The port of Ust-Luga.Image: www.imago-images.de
March 31, 2026, 9:55 a.mMarch 31, 2026, 9:55 a.m
Ukrainian long-range drones have once again attacked the Russian oil and gas port of Ust-Luga on the Baltic Sea near St. Petersburg.
The region’s governor, Alexander Drozdenko, spoke of damage to the port facilities, as reported by the Russian state news agency Tass.
On the Gulf of Finland, drones were also located over the counties of Kingisepp on the border with Estonia and Vyborg on the border with Finland. At the airport in the megacity of St. Petersburg, more than 60 flights had to be canceled or postponed due to the drone threat.
Ukraine wants to stop Russian energy exports
Russia ships oil and liquefied natural gas through the port of Ust-Luga. Because of the high energy prices due to the Iran war, Moscow could earn additional money for its war chest from exports.
However, the Ukrainian army has attacked Ust-Luga, the Primorsk oil port and the Kirishi refinery on several nights since last week in an attempt to disrupt energy exports. Russian anti-aircraft defense was unable to prevent fuel depots from being set on fire and technical equipment being damaged.
Kiev’s goal is to deprive Russia of the income from the export of oil and other raw materials, which is important for the arms industry.
Russia has been waging a devastating war on neighboring Ukraine for more than four years. Part of the Ukrainian resistance includes air strikes on industrial and military facilities in the Russian hinterland. (sda/dpa)