Baltic has become high-risk zone for Russia – Ukraine's Defence Ministry

Coordinated strikes by Ukraine's defence forces on infrastructure facilities in Russia's Leningrad Oblast have blocked a significant portion of Russia's oil exports via the Baltic Sea.

Source: Ukraine's Ministry of Defence

Quote: "Over the past week, Ukraine's defence forces have carried out coordinated high-precision strikes on infrastructure in Russia's Leningrad Oblast that supports the financing of the aggressor's war machine."

Details: According to the ministry, strikes on Russian Baltic ports have blocked a substantial share of the Russian Federation's oil exports.

The Ministry of Defence detailed which facilities were hit and their significance for reducing the Russian offensive capabilities under the War Plan.

Drones struck primary oil refining units and two large storage tanks at the KINEF refinery in the city of Kirishi on 26 March. A large fire broke out at the facility and could not be contained for several hours.

The Kirishi refinery is among Russia's three largest plants, with a capacity of around 21 million tonnes of oil per year (more than 6% of Russia's total refining capacity).

"Striking primary refining units is a hit at the 'heart' of the plant. Without them, the entire technological chain stops. This is not only a disruption of oil exports but also a direct blow to fuel supplies (diesel, aviation fuel) for Russian groups of forces," the ministry noted.

On 24 March, the defence forces struck storage facilities and loading arms – specialised mechanical equipment used to pump fuel onto tankers – at the NOVATEK-Ust-Luga plant. Ukrainian drones travelled 900 km to reach the target.

On the night of 28-29 March, another strike was carried out on the same facility, causing serious damage and a fire.

"Ust-Luga is the 'gateway' for Russian exports in the Baltic. This largest Russian port on the Baltic Sea is one of the main points through which Russia exports crude oil and petroleum products, including via vessels from the shadow fleet," the statement said.

Last year, Russia exported more than 30 million metric tonnes of petroleum products through the port of Ust-Luga.

The NOVATEK-Ust-Luga plant processes stable gas condensate into higher value-added products (oil, kerosene, diesel) for export.

"Damage to the loading arms critically slows down or completely halts fuel shipments for export. This leads to direct losses in Russia's foreign currency revenue, which is used to finance the war," the defence ministry explained.

On 22 and 23 March, Ukraine's defence forces struck oil-loading infrastructure and a storage facility at the Transneft–Primorsk Port terminal. Heavy smoke and a fire were recorded.

This is the largest Baltic port for crude oil exports, handling up to 60 million tonnes of raw materials per year.

"Systematic strikes on such terminals force tankers to idle while waiting, increase vessel insurance costs, and compel Russia to seek complex and expensive ways to bypass damaged nodes," the statement said.

In addition, on 25 March, the patrol icebreaker Purga was hit at the Vyborg Shipyard. This is a hybrid military vessel armed with artillery and capable of carrying containers with Kalibr or Uran missiles. It had been prepared for Russia's FSB Coast Guard.

"The construction and repair of vessels of this class take years. Disabling the Purga directly in dry dock is a painful blow to Russia's ambitions to control Arctic and Baltic borders," the statement noted.

According to the Ministry of Defence, the Baltic region has shifted from a "safe hub" to a high-risk zone for Russia.

The systematic destruction of oil infrastructure through deep strikes is depleting Russia's resources and creating long-term obstacles to restoring its military potential in the future.

Background:

• Earlier, it was reported that over the course of a week Ukraine's defence forces struck two Russian aviation plants, and in total, since the start of the full-scale invasion, five such strategic facilities have been hit.
• During January and February, Ukraine's defence forces also struck three major Russian military plants.
• In January and February alone, Ukraine's defence forces carried out more than 40 strikes on oil and gas infrastructure and other targets on Russian territory, hitting 13 refineries and other facilities in the oil and gas sector.
• Last year, Ukrainian drones attacked Russian oil refineries at least 81 times. As a result, by early autumn they had lost, according to various estimates, between 10% and 20% of their capacity, while downtime in primary oil refining in Russia reached record levels.
• The team at Ukraine's Ministry of Defence is actively engaging in economic warfare aimed at blocking Russia's shadow fleet.

Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!