Ukrainian Drone Strikes Target Russian Oil Infrastructure, Impacting Export Capabilities
Ukrainian drones have launched a series of strikes against key Russian oil infrastructure, including a major loading port in the Baltic Sea and two tankers allegedly used to transport Russian crude oil in violation of sanctions. The nighttime drone attack ignited a fire at the port of Primorsk, Russia's largest oil exporting port on the Baltic Sea, which is operated by the state oil firm Transneft. This port, along with another in the Baltic Sea, accounts for approximately 40% of Russia's oil exports. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy reported that the strikes also targeted a Karakurt missile ship, a patrol boat, and a tanker from Russia's 'shadow oil fleet,' which is used to circumvent Western sanctions. The Ukrainian Air Force also reported that Russia launched 269 drones and ballistic missiles against Ukraine, with Ukrainian forces managing to repel most of these attacks.