The strikes come as Ukraine says its air defenses shot down 267 of 289 drones launched by Russia overnight.
Ukrainian drones have struck Russia’s Ust-Luga port on the Baltic Sea for the fifth time in 10 days, as Kiev steps up attacks on Russia’s oil export infrastructure.
Regional governor Alexander Drozdenko said Tuesday that three people, including two children, were treated for injuries and that several buildings were damaged in the overnight attacks.
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In a message on Telegram, he said airstrike alerts had been lifted in the area, but gave no details about the damage caused to the port.
Ust-Luga, on the southeastern coast of the Gulf of Finland, is a vast complex of oil-processing facilities and export terminals handling crude oil and oil products.
It was affected on March 22, 25, 27, 29 and 31, leading to suspension of export operations, officials said.
The port exported 32.9 million metric tons of oil products last year and typically handles about 700,000 barrels of crude per day, according to source-based data.
Ukraine has stepped up attacks on Russia’s oil export infrastructure in the past month, and launched its heaviest drone strikes in more than four years of war against the Baltic ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk.
Peace talks to end the war in Ukraine have been suspended due to the Middle East war, and officials in Kiev have expressed concerns that arms supplies could be diverted away from Ukraine as Western military resources increase.
Oil prices have surged to their highest level in nearly two weeks, with global benchmark Brent crude above $116 a barrel amid escalation on multiple fronts in the US-Israel war over Iran.
At least 40 percent of Russia’s oil export capacity has been halted due to drone strikes, a disputed attack on a major pipeline and the seizure of tankers, according to Reuters news agency calculations based on market data.
Ukraine, which is facing cash crunch due to rising oil prices, is also struggling with rising fuel prices.
EU reaffirms support for Ukraine
Kiev announced on Tuesday that its air defenses shot down 267 of 289 drones launched by Russia towards Ukrainian territory last night. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry said its forces had taken control of the village of Maly Korchakivka in Ukraine’s northern Sumy region.
Top EU diplomat Kaja Kallas and several EU foreign ministers reiterated their support for Ukraine as they arrived in Kiev on Tuesday to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia’s massacre at Butcha, where Ukrainian officials and rights groups say Russian troops killed more than 400 people.
“Bucha has become a symbol of the brutality of Russia’s war,” Callas said, posting photos from the town on Instagram.
“The EU is committed to ensuring that these crimes do not go unpunished… Russia must be held accountable for what it has done to Ukraine.”
Moscow has denied that its troops committed atrocities in Butcha and accused Ukraine of carrying out the incident. The United Nations has confirmed that 15,364 civilians have been killed since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, although it says the actual number is likely higher.
Europe is Ukraine’s main supporter; However, an EU loan of 90 billion euros ($103.23 billion) was put on hold by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban due to a dispute over Russian oil transit through Ukraine’s Druzhba oil pipeline.
Hungary is also blocking progress in Ukraine’s EU accession talks.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sibiha called on partners to remain focused on the war in Ukraine despite the broader implications of a war with Iran.
“Perhaps more than anywhere else, here in Bucha we feel that the future of Europe and the security of Europe are being decided right here – in Ukraine,” Sibiha said. “The current front line is also a line of international law and the shared values we uphold.”
