Ukraine launched a drone strike on northwest Russia's Primorsk port, the country's largest oil terminal. It's the first time this port has been attacked. Following the attack, two ships caught fire. Ukraine's security agency SBU claimed responsibility for targeting the port with drones, igniting the blaze and halting oil loading operations.
The Russian governor reported a fire on a ship and a pumping station but denied the shutdown of operations. However, industry sources confirmed that loading had to be halted on Friday morning. The strike damaged two tankers, Kusto and Cai Yun, both Aframax tankers registered in Seychelles. This attack comes as Ukraine continues to target Russia's energy supply, aiming to curb crude oil exports.
Russia's other ports, Ust-Luga and Novorossiysk, have also been attacked several times in recent months. Governor Alexander Drozdenko stated that the fire has been extinguished and there's no threat of oil spills. He also reported that more than 30 drones were shot down by Russian air defenses. Locals are living in fear. One woman shared on social media that she couldn't sleep through the night. Her child also struggled to sleep, waking up startled by the blasts. She hoped this turmoil would end soon.
The Primorsk port is located near St. Petersburg in the Gulf of Finland. The drone attack temporarily closed Pulkovo Airport for a few hours. The Russian military claims they have shot down 221 Ukrainian drones overnight, including nine over the Moscow region.
