Ukrainian strikes hit Russia’s oil exports

Ukrainian drone strikes have significantly disrupted operations at key Russian oil ports in the Baltic Sea, the Moscow Times reports.

Primorsk and Ust-Luga, among Russia’s main export hubs, have repeatedly suspended operations following a series of strikes and subsequent fires. Damage and the risk of further attacks are preventing a return to full capacity.

According to Reuters sources, about 40 per cent of Russia’s oil export capacity is currently crippled, amounting to roughly two million barrels a day.

The disruption is not confined to the Baltic – the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk is also operating under restrictions following earlier attacks.

The consequences are visible at sea. In the Gulf of Finland, dozens of tankers are waiting to load. The situation is further complicated by a major fire in Ust-Luga, the smoke of which is visible from the Finnish coast.

(pir)