Russian Baltic Oil Shipping Port Attacked; May Worsen Energy Supply Tensions

This article is reprinted from [Xinhua News Agency];

Xinhua News Agency, Beijing, March 23 — Russia’s two oil shipping ports in the Baltic Sea, Primorsk and Ust-Luga, were attacked by Ukrainian drones between the night of March 22 and early morning of March 23. Industry sources revealed to the media that oil export operations at these ports have been suspended since March 22. Amid the ongoing conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran causing widespread disruptions in shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, industry experts are concerned that this incident could worsen the global energy supply shortage.

These two ports are located in Leningrad Oblast in northwest Russia, about 80 kilometers apart. According to the Russian “Moscow Times,” Leningrad Governor Alexander Drozdenko reported on March 23 that between the night of March 22 and early morning of March 23, Russian air defense systems intercepted over 70 Ukrainian drones flying over the region. The attack caused several fuel tanks at Primorsk port to catch fire.

In a statement issued later that day, Drozdenko said firefighting efforts are ongoing, and port workers have been evacuated urgently. He did not mention whether port operations have been affected or provide details about Ust-Luga.

Reuters reported on March 23, citing industry sources, that oil and fuel export activities at these two ports have been suspended since March 22. The operators of these ports, Russian pipeline transportation company Transneft, did not comment on the report.

According to Reuters, Primorsk is Russia’s main export terminal for Urals crude oil and high-quality diesel, capable of processing over 1 million barrels of oil daily. Ust-Luga exports about 700,000 barrels of oil per day.

Last September, these two ports were also targeted by Ukrainian drones. The attack caused a fire on a transport vessel and an oil pump station at Primorsk, forcing a suspension of oil shipments; multiple pump stations at Ust-Luga were also attacked. Earlier this month, Russia’s oil exports from the largest Black Sea port, Novorossiysk, were affected by drone attacks.

This is a photo of an explosion at an oil depot at Engels Air Force Base in Saratov Oblast, Russia, after an attack by Ukrainian armed forces posted on social media on January 8, 2025. The Ukrainian General Staff announced on social media that morning that Ukrainian Defense Forces had attacked an oil depot at the Russian airbase in Saratov Oblast. Xinhua News Agency

The Ukraine crisis has lasted over four years, with both Ukraine and Russia launching drones and missiles at each other, damaging infrastructure and export trade. Ukraine frequently attacks Russian oil export facilities and refineries to weaken Russia’s oil revenue. Due to the drone attacks around midnight on March 22, flights at Pulkovo International Airport in Saint Petersburg were suspended until 9 a.m. local time on March 23. (Shen Min)