Ukraine drones hit Primorsk port and Russian regions, killing one

Ukraine drones hit Primorsk port and Russian regions, killing one
The Greek-registered ship Stemnitsa (R) with 100,000 tonnes of crude oil on board leaves the Russian port of Primorsk, 5 February 2003.
Reuters

Ukraine has launched a new wave of drone strikes on Sunday (3 May) across Russia, hitting key infrastructure and causing casualties in several regions, officials on both sides said.

In Russia’s north-west, the Baltic Sea port of Primorsk was set on fire after being targeted overnight. The regional governor, Alexander Drozdenko, said more than 60 drones were shot down over the Leningrad region.

He added that the fire at Primorsk, one of Russia’s main oil export hubs, had been brought under control and there was no spill. The port is capable of handling up to one million barrels of oil a day.

It has been struck several times in recent months as Ukraine steps up attacks on Russian energy facilities.

Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, said Ukrainian forces had also targeted two so-called “shadow fleet” tankers near the entrance to the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk.

“These tankers had been actively used to transport oil – not anymore,” he said on Telegram. “Ukraine’s long-range capabilities will continue to be developed comprehensively - at sea, in the air, and on land.”

Casualties reported in Russian regions

Elsewhere, regional authorities in Russia reported further attacks over the weekend. In the Moscow region, Governor Andrei Vorobyov said a 77-year-old man was killed when a drone struck a village. Moscow’s mayor, Sergei Sobyanin, said four drones heading towards the capital were intercepted.

In the western Smolensk region, Governor Vasily Anokhin said three people, including a child, were injured after a drone hit an apartment building.

Fighting continues in eastern Ukraine

The latest strikes come as fighting continues along the front line. Ukrainian military officials said Russian forces were making slow advances towards the city of Kostiantynivka in eastern Ukraine.

The escalation follows stalled efforts to broker a ceasefire, with both sides continuing long-range attacks deep behind the front.

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