Ukraine's drones strike Russia's Baltic oil ports as Kyiv takes a second mass barrage
As Russia killed at least 10 people in its second mass strike on Kyiv in a week, Ukraine's long-range drones hit two of Russia's biggest Baltic oil-export terminals and blacked out the Black Sea Fleet's home port, pressing its campaign to choke Moscow's oil revenue.
As Russia killed at least 10 people in its second mass strike on Kyiv in a week, Ukraine's long-range drones hit two of Russia's biggest Baltic oil-export terminals and blacked out the Black Sea Fleet's home port, pressing its campaign to choke Moscow's oil revenue.
Ukrainian drones damaged the Baltic Sea oil ports of Ust-Luga and Vysotsk and knocked out power in Sevastopol, home of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, on the night of July 6, Reuters reported. Leningrad region governor Alexander Drozdenko said 56 drones were downed over the region, with damage to the two port areas and the nearby Luga training ground and no casualties, LIGA.net reported.
Ust-Luga is one of Russia's largest outlets for crude and refined products. Vysotsk handles oil products and LNG. Exports from Ust-Luga and Primorsk, with the Black Sea's Novorossiysk, ran near a record 3 million barrels a day in June, Reuters reported. The two Baltic terminals now under fire move much of the oil revenue funding Russia's war.
The same night, drones struck the Slavneft-YANOS refinery in Yaroslavl, one of Russia's largest at about 15 million tons a year, setting a fire, LIGA.net reported, citing the Astra Telegram channel. Regional officials said about 70 drones were downed over Yaroslavl and two people were hurt by shrapnel.
The strikes came hours after Russia fired 68 missiles and 351 drones at Ukraine, killing at least 10 in Kyiv in the second mass attack on the capital in a week, The Moscow Times reported. None of the 29 ballistic missiles were intercepted. Zelensky blamed a shortage of interceptor missiles.
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Subscribe Free →Ukraine has raised its strikes on Russian refineries elevenfold this year, the Financial Times reported, and the campaign has driven fuel shortages and long filling-station queues across Russia. The refinery hits squeeze Russia's home fuel supply; the Baltic terminals earn its hard currency. Ukraine's drones are now reaching both.
Frequently Asked Questions
What did Ukraine strike on July 6?
Ukrainian drones damaged the Baltic Sea oil ports of Ust-Luga and Vysotsk, knocked out power in Sevastopol, and hit the Slavneft-YANOS refinery in Yaroslavl, per Reuters and LIGA.net.
Why do Ust-Luga and Vysotsk matter?
Ust-Luga is one of Russia's largest crude and refined-product export outlets and Vysotsk handles oil products and LNG. Exports from Ust-Luga and Primorsk plus the Black Sea's Novorossiysk ran near a record 3 million barrels a day in June, Reuters reported.
How many drones were involved?
Leningrad governor Alexander Drozdenko said 56 drones were downed over his region, per LIGA.net, and regional officials reported about 70 downed over Yaroslavl, where two people were hurt by shrapnel.
What happened in Kyiv the same night?
Russia fired 68 missiles and 351 drones at Ukraine, killing at least 10 in Kyiv in the second mass strike on the capital in a week, The Moscow Times reported. None of the 29 ballistic missiles were intercepted; Zelensky blamed a shortage of interceptor missiles.
Is the campaign hurting Russia's economy?
Ukraine has raised its strikes on Russian refineries elevenfold this year, the Financial Times reported, and the campaign has driven fuel shortages and long filling-station queues across Russia.
AI-generated summary, reviewed by an editor. More on our AI guidelines.
Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.