Recent satellite images and corroborated footage suggest Ukraine has conducted a series of strikes against significant oil export infrastructure located in Russia's Leningrad region over the past week. These attacks have resulted in major facilities burning for several days.
Analysis confirms that at least three oil installations situated near Saint Petersburg, approximately 800 kilometres from the Ukrainian border, were targeted between March 23 and March 28. The affected locations include the Baltic Sea ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk, along with the inland Kirishi oil refinery.
Data compiled by the Centre for Research on Energy and Clean Air highlights the crucial role of these sites, noting that 22% of Russia's oil exports in 2025 were dispatched from Primorsk and 20% from Ust-Luga.
Recent shipping records indicate a complete cessation of oil tanker loading at all three of Russia's Baltic ports on March 26 and 27, marking the first instance of such a two-day shutdown since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine commenced in 2022.
Satellite visuals captured on March 24 depicted substantial smoke plumes emanating from Primorsk. Further imagery from March 27 showed active fires at Ust-Luga and visible structural damage at the Kirishi refinery. The detailed analysis reveals:
* Primorsk: At least eight storage tanks sustained destruction or damage.
* Ust-Luga: A minimum of eight storage tanks were destroyed or damaged.
* Kirishi: At least two storage tanks experienced damage.
NASA's FIRMS system registered thermal data confirming persistent fires, with heat signatures still detectable at Primorsk early Monday and at Ust-Luga later the same day. The Governor of Leningrad Oblast, Alexander Drozdenko, stated that the fires had been brought under control by Sunday, with no reported casualties.
Verified video footage also illustrates the aftermath of the strikes, showcasing towering columns of smoke above Primorsk and damaged infrastructure across all three locations.
Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's drone force, stated that the operation was coordinated and aimed at Russia's "oil arteries, refining capacity and crude export infrastructure" over a five-day period.
The Ukrainian military identified the Kirishi refinery as one of Russia's three largest oil processing plants, responsible for producing fuel that supports the nation's military.
According to estimates reported by Reuters, as much as 40% of Russia's oil export capacity faced temporary disruption on March 25 following the initial series of attacks.
Despite these disruptions, assessments suggest that Russia generated approximately £7.1 billion from its oil exports in the final three weeks of March. This revenue was generated amidst a rise in global prices, fueled by broader geopolitical tensions, including the ongoing conflict between Israel and Iran.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky mentioned that allies had advised Kyiv to reduce strikes on Russian energy infrastructure due to the global energy crisis. He added that such attacks would only cease if Russia stopped targeting Ukraine's own energy systems.
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