Operations at One of Russia's Largest Oil Ports Halted After Drone Attack

Operations at one of Russia's largest oil ports – Ust-Luga on the Baltic Sea – have been crippled after a strike by a Ukrainian drone, reports NewsBox.

A large-scale drone attack from Ukraine on January 29 in Russia likely halted operations completely at the Ust-Luga oil port on the Baltic Sea. This was reported by Bloomberg, citing a source familiar with the situation.

According to available information, oil shipments through this strategically important port were already suspended as of Wednesday. The drone strike was preceded by an attack on the Tver region, where, according to Governor Igor Rudenya, nine drones were shot down near Andreapol.

A senior Ukrainian official stated that the attack targeted an oil pumping station in Andreapol, which is part of the Baltic Pipeline System II. This system transports oil to Ust-Luga via the Druzhba pipeline. Consequently, the pumping of crude was halted, and the last tanker left the port on Wednesday morning.

According to Bloomberg, last year, Ust-Luga exported an average of 650,000 barrels of Russian oil daily, making it one of Europe's largest oil ports.