Russia reports fire at key oil export port

A fire has broken out at Russia’s Baltic port of Ust-Luga following what authorities described as widespread Ukrainian drone strikes. Russian officials said the attacks also targeted other areas, including the Leningrad region.

Ukraine has stepped up strikes on Russia’s energy infrastructure in recent weeks in an effort to weaken Moscow’s war economy.

The ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk were forced to suspend oil exports over the weekend but resumed loading on Monday. The latest incident has again raised questions about the reliability of supplies.

The extent of the damage remains unclear. However, a Reuters source said the terminal had been closed and fuel storage tanks were on fire. Authorities have reported no casualties. Russian air defences also said they had shot down nearly 400 Ukrainian drones overnight, underlining the scale of the attack.

(reuters, mja)