Recent satellite images reveal ongoing fires at oil terminals in Primorsk and Ust-Luga, Russia, following Ukrainian drone strikes. These incidents, documented by Planet Labs and reported by the Radio Free Europe project Schemes, indicate significant damage to oil storage facilities.
On March 29, fresh attacks targeted the Novatek-Ust-Luga plant, igniting tanks that had previously remained intact after an earlier assault on March 24. In Primorsk, state-owned Transneft’s oil tanks are also reported to be burning, having sustained damage during prior strikes.
Satellite imagery shows that at least eight of the eighteen tanks at the Primorsk facility have been compromised. Each tank has a capacity of up to 50,000 tons of oil, according to archived data from the port’s website. The total value of the oil that could have been stored in these damaged tanks is estimated at approximately $160 million, based on current pricing of Russian Urals crude.
The Security Service of Ukraine announced on March 29 that Ukrainian drones had struck the Ust-Luga oil terminal for the second time within a week, reporting “serious damage” and a subsequent fire. The previous strike occurred just days earlier, on the night of March 27, which also affected the Primorsk port.
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, various facilities within Russian territory have been targeted by aerial assaults. In 2024 and 2025, oil refineries have frequently been among the primary targets, alongside Russian assets in occupied Ukrainian territories.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has confirmed most of these attacks, asserting that Ukrainian defense forces are systematically implementing measures to diminish the combat capabilities of Russian occupation forces and to compel Russia to cease its armed aggression against Ukraine.
Recent satellite imagery has confirmed ongoing fires at Russian oil terminals in Primorsk and Ust-Luga following Ukrainian drone strikes. The attacks have resulted in significant damage to oil storage facilities, with estimates indicating potential losses of up to $160 million.