Ukrainian military drones have struck the Ust-Luga oil terminal on the Baltic Sea for the second time this week, according to a statement from Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU). The attack occurred during the night of March 29, with long-range drones successfully targeting the infrastructure of this key Russian port.
Ust-Luga serves as a significant maritime hub for oil exports, including shipments facilitated by what is referred to as a shadow fleet. The SBU indicated that the operation was part of ongoing efforts to undermine the financial and logistical capabilities of Russian forces, which are perceived as integral to the military-industrial complex supporting Russia’s war efforts against Ukraine.
“The SBU, in collaboration with defense forces, continues systematic operations to diminish the enemy’s financial and logistical resources,” stated Major General Yevhenii Khmara, acting head of the SBU. “All oil facilities are effectively part of the Russian military-industrial complex and contribute funds to the Russian budget that are used for the war against Ukraine. Therefore, operations countering this will continue.”
The SBU reported that the latest attack resulted in significant damage and a fire at the terminal. This marks the fourth strike on Russian oil infrastructure in the Baltic Sea within the past week, with previous operations conducted in close coordination with various defense agencies.
Earlier, Ukrainian drones targeted another critical oil export hub in the Baltic, the Primorsk port, leading to fires and damage to several storage tanks. The Russian governor of Leningrad Oblast, Alexander Drozdenko, confirmed the drone strikes on March 29, stating that air raid alerts were issued around 2 AM Kyiv time. He noted that while there were damages at Ust-Luga, there were no reported casualties.
Drozdenko later mentioned potential disruptions to mobile internet services in the region. He also claimed that 31 drones were reportedly intercepted over Leningrad Oblast during the same night.
Emergency services are currently engaged in extinguishing the fire at the Ust-Luga port. Independent verification of the reported damages remains unfeasible.
Since the onset of Russia’s full-scale invasion, various targets within Russia have been subjected to aerial strikes, with oil refineries frequently targeted in 2024 and 2025. Attacks have also been directed at Russian facilities in occupied territories of Ukraine.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine has confirmed most of these attacks, asserting that Ukrainian defense forces are systematically implementing measures aimed at reducing the combat potential of Russian occupation troops and compelling Russia to cease its armed aggression against Ukraine.
Ukrainian drones have again targeted the Ust-Luga oil terminal in a coordinated military operation aimed at disrupting Russian logistics and funding for the ongoing conflict. This marks a continuation of recent strikes on key oil infrastructure, reflecting Ukraine's strategy to undermine Russian military capabilities.