Russia’s oil infrastructure hit by Ukrainian strikes

Ukraine is stepping up long-range attacks on Russian energy infrastructure to maintain pressure on Moscow after the easing of international oil sanctions.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said a US decision to grant a 30-day waiver to countries buying sanctioned Russian crude had reduced global pressure.

He warned that without a response to Russian strikes, Moscow would continue the war without pause. Ukrainian attacks in recent days have hit the Baltic ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk, causing fires and disrupting oil loading. Primorsk has resumed operations, but at limited capacity.

Ukraine’s SBU security service said drones flew more than 900 kilometres to strike the Ust-Luga terminal. Reuters estimates suggest that at least 40 per cent of Russia’s oil export capacity has been knocked out by the attacks and other factors.

This marks the most serious disruption to Russia’s oil supplies in modern history. It comes as oil prices have risen above $100 a barrel amid the conflict with Iran. Russian pipeline operator Transneft is seeking to reroute exports from the damaged ports.

(reuters, max)