Russia’s Baltic ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga, major export terminals, suspended loadings of crude oil and refined products on Wednesday after large-scale Ukrainian drone attacks triggered a blaze, sources told Reuters.
The strikes mark one of the most significant attacks so far on Russia’s oil export infrastructure during the four-year war, and are likely to heighten uncertainty in global oil markets, already strained by conflict in the Middle East.
Thick plumes of black smoke rose into the sky, according to unverified videos circulating on Telegram. Finland’s Helsingin Sanomat newspaper reported the smoke was visible across the Gulf of Finland from dozens of miles away.
Earlier on Wednesday, Russian officials said a fire had broken out at Ust-Luga following a Ukrainian drone attack. Nearby Primorsk has also been targeted in recent days.
Ukraine has intensified drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and export routes in recent weeks, aiming to undermine Moscow’s war economy as U.S.-brokered peace talks have stalled.
Both Ust-Luga and Primorsk, located on the Gulf of Finland, were also forced to suspend exports on Sunday following similar attacks, although loadings partially resumed on Monday, Reuters reported.
Primorsk, with export capacity exceeding 1 million barrels per day, is a key outlet for Russia’s flagship Urals crude and high-quality diesel.
Sources said Ust-Luga exported 32.9 million metric tonnes of oil products last year, while Primorsk shipped 16.8 million tonnes.
Alexander Drozdenko, governor of the Leningrad region, said the fire at Ust-Luga followed a drone attack across the region. No casualties were reported.
One source, speaking on condition of anonymity, said the terminal had been sealed off and storage reservoirs were ablaze.
Russia’s defence ministry said it had shot down 389 Ukrainian drones overnight across the country, including over the Moscow region.
Ship traffic through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait fell to its lowest level in months on Sunday after Yemen's Houthi movement attacked Saudi oil facilities...
French President Emmanuel Macron convened an interministerial crisis meeting on 26 July as wildfires spread across southwest France, with flames advan...
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he intends to travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly this September, dismissing...
Russian authorities said 11 people, including four children, had been killed by Ukraine in an overnight attack on a holiday camp, accusing Kyiv on Saturday of deliberately targeting civilians.
Iran will halt its own attacks as long as the United States maintains its pause on strikes, but Tehran remains sceptical of U.S. intentions, a senior Iranian source told on Sunday.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief. Here are the top news stories for the 25th of July, covering the latest developments you need to know.
Italian Defence Minister Guido Crosetto recently offered the dismissed Ukraine’s Defence Minister, Mykhailo Federov an adviser role in Italy.
Marvel Studios used its return to San Diego Comic-Con to reveal several major projects, including a new Ghost Rider film starring Ryan Gosling and the long-awaited Black Panther 3.
French President Emmanuel Macron convened an interministerial crisis meeting on 26 July as wildfires spread across southwest France, with flames advancing to within 15 kilometres of the city of Bordeaux.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he intends to travel to New York for the United Nations General Assembly this September, dismissing calls from the city's mayor that he should not be welcome.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said the UN will submit a detailed report to the Security Council documenting what he described as Israeli violations in Syria. At the same time, Syrian President Ahmad al-Sharaa says he is working towards a security agreement with Israel.
Two people have been killed and at least five others injured, including a child, after a shooting at the Seattle Center in Washington state during a food and music festival.
Israel has approved the legal framework for the deployment of a multinational security force in parts of the Gaza Strip outside its control, marking a significant step towards implementing a key element of U.S. President Donald Trump's stalled ceasefire proposal.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment