A Ukrainian drone attack damaged fuel reservoirs at the oil export hub of Primorsk in northwestern Russia, regional authorities said Monday.
Leningrad region Governor Alexander Drozdenko said the port, which can export more than 1 million barrels of oil per day, caught fire after the attack.
Firefighters were battling the blaze at the port, Drozdenko said later in the morning, while workers were evacuated amid emergency response efforts.
The governor said that air defense systems intercepted more than 70 Ukrainian drones in the skies above the Leningrad region between Sunday and early Monday.
Ukraine also attacked the Primorsk port in September, disrupting oil loading.
Industry sources told Reuters on Monday that Primorsk port, as well as Ust-Luga port, located around 80 kilometers (50 miles) to the south, had suspended operations.
It was not immediately clear whether Ust-Luga also sustained damage due to the drone attack. Drozdenko did not mention the port in his statements about the overnight strikes.
Ust-Luga handles around 700,000 barrels of oil exports per day, according to Reuters.
The reported suspension of operations at the two ports comes at a volatile moment for global energy markets due to Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz in response to U.S.-Israeli attacks.
St. Petersburg’s Pulkovo International Airport suspended arrival and departure flights around midnight on Monday due to the drone attack. Those restrictions were lifted around 9 a.m. local time.
Both Ukraine and Russia regularly launch drone and missile strikes at each other’s territory, with officials in Kyiv justifying their attacks as retaliation for Russia’s full-scale invasion and ongoing occupation of Ukrainian territory.
Ukraine says it primarily targets military and energy infrastructure in an attempt to impede the Kremlin’s ability to finance its war.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia’s Prosecutor General’s Office has designated The Moscow Times as an “undesirable” organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a “foreign agent.”
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work “discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership.” We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It’s quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you’re defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Continue
Not ready to support today?
Remind me later.
×
Remind me next month
Thank you! Your reminder is set.
