Russian oil loading ports Primorsk and Ust-Luga in the Baltic Sea were attacked by Ukrainian drones from the 22nd to the early hours of the 23rd. Energy industry sources revealed to the media that oil export operations at the ports have been suspended since the 22nd. Against the backdrop of widespread shipping disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz due to the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, there are concerns within the industry that this incident could exacerbate global energy supply tensions.

These two ports are located in the Leningrad Oblast in northwestern Russia, approximately 80 kilometers apart. According to a report by Russia's Moscow Times, Leningrad Oblast Governor Alexander Drozdhenko announced on the 23rd that from the 22nd to the early hours of the 23rd, Russian air defense systems intercepted over 70 Ukrainian drones that had entered the region's airspace. The attacks caused several fuel storage tanks at the Port of Primorsk to catch fire.

In a statement issued later that day, Drozdhenko said that firefighting efforts were still ongoing, and port workers had been urgently evacuated. He did not mention whether port operations were affected or provide any details about the Port of Ust-Luga.

On the 23rd, Reuters cited energy industry sources as reporting that crude oil and fuel export operations at these two ports have been suspended since the 22nd. The operator of the ports, Russian oil pipeline transportation company, did not comment on the report.

According to Reuters, the Port of Primorsk is a major export terminal for Russian Urals crude oil and high-quality diesel, capable of handling over 1 million barrels of export oil per day. The Port of Ust-Luga exports approximately 700,000 barrels of oil daily.

In September of last year, these two ports were also targeted by Ukrainian drone attacks. The attacks caused a transport ship and an oil pumping station at the Port of Primorsk to catch fire, forcing the suspension of oil loading operations. Multiple pumping stations at the Port of Ust-Luga, responsible for transporting oil, were also attacked. Earlier this month, oil exports from Russia's largest Black Sea port, Novorossiysk, were also affected by drone attacks.

This is a photo released by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on social media on January 8, 2025, showing an explosion at an oil depot at the Engels Air Force Base in Russia's Saratov Oblast after it was attacked. The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces posted on social media that morning, stating that the Ukrainian Defense Forces had attacked an oil depot at a Russian air force base in Saratov Oblast.

The Ukraine crisis has now lasted for over four years, with Ukraine and Russia exchanging drone and missile attacks, damaging infrastructure and export trade on both sides. Ukraine frequently targets Russian oil export facilities and refineries to undermine Russia's oil revenue. Due to the wave of drone attacks around midnight on the 22nd, St. Petersburg's Pulkovo International Airport in Russia suspended inbound and outbound flights until the flight ban was lifted at 9:00 a.m. local time on the 23rd.