Ukraine conducted a major overnight drone attack, targeting Russia’s largest oil terminal at Primorsk in the Leningrad region, a crucial hub for maritime exports. The Ukrainian security services deployed 221 drones, with over half intercepted in the Briansk and Smolensk regions, where Lucoil facilities were also hit. Russian officials reported two civilian deaths from a glide bomb strike near the Ukraine border.
In the Leningrad region, authorities stated that 28 drones were thwarted, leading to fires at the port’s facilities, although there were no casualties. Primorsk is vital for Russia’s “shadow fleet” of tankers circumventing sanctions. The strike also affected pump stations supplying the UST-Luga terminal.
Additional drone attacks were reported at the Smolensk nuclear power plant. Incidents of drone debris falling in various regions were noted, including a crash in Briansk that injured seven people. Operations at Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg were temporarily suspended due to the attacks.
This drone offensive is part of a trend of increased Ukrainian strikes on Russian infrastructure, aiming to disrupt fuel supplies amid ongoing conflict. Reports indicate that virtually 20% of Russia’s oil refining capacity was affected in August, alongside rising gasoline shortages in the Far East.
As Russia increases its missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, peace talks have reportedly stalled, exacerbating tensions in the region. The attacks coincided with the start of a major military exercise between Russia and Belarus and follow recent downing of drones that fell in Poland.
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