Which two Russian Baltic ports were hit by Ukrainian drone attacks, and what types of energy infrastructure do they host?

The two Russian Baltic ports hit by Ukrainian drone attacks are Ust-Luga and Vysotsk. Ust-Luga is an export hub for crude oil, petroleum products, coal, fertilizers, and other goods, while Vysotsk handles oil products and liquefied natural gas (LNG). Ukrainian strikes earlier in the year had already forced a suspension of crude loadings at Transneft’s oil terminal in Ust-Luga and shut down Novatek’s gas-processing and fuel-export facilities there; in April, a fire broke out at Vysotsk following a Ukrainian attack. Lukoil operates an oil-product terminal in Vysotsk, and Gazprom owns an LNG plant and terminal near the port.

What is the broader strategic goal behind Ukraine’s recent intensification of drone strikes on Russian port and energy infrastructure?

Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russian energy infrastructure in recent weeks to pressure the Kremlin into returning to negotiations. These strikes have already halted or curtailed operations at several key Russian refineries, contributing to a nationwide gasoline supply crunch. As a result, Russia has increased seaborne crude exports to record levels to offset domestic shortfalls—but continued Ukrainian attacks on port infrastructure like Ust-Luga and Vysotsk threaten that strategy by potentially stranding export volumes inside Russia and forcing producers to cut output.

Ukrainian Drone Attacks Hit Major Russian Baltic Ports

Jul 5, 2026

Ukrainian drone strikes damaged facilities at key Russian Baltic ports handling oil, gas, and fertilizers, threatening export volumes. Operations at terminals operated by major energy firms like Transneft and Novatek face potential disruption.

bloomberg

2026-07-05

Ukrainian Drone Attacks Hit Major Russian Baltic Ports

Ukrainian Drone Attacks Hit Major Russian Baltic Ports

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