3 April 2026
Primorsk and Ust-Luga, Russia’s largest export ports on the Baltic Sea, have been unable to accept petroleum products from Russian refineries for the second week after they were hit by a series of Ukrainian drone attacks in March, Reuters reported, citing industry sources.
According to them, since March 22, refineries have been unable to supply diesel fuel to the Transneft system for export transshipment through Primorsk. Large refineries in Siberia, as well as in the European part of Russia, have been affected, having been deprived of the most convenient and fastest method of diesel fuel export for over a week and a half.
The acceptance of shipments to the Ust-Luga Oil export terminal has been suspended since March 27: Russian Railways, which delivers tankers containing petroleum products to the port, imposed restrictions on deliveries that were subsequently extended until April 14, sources told Reuters.
Drone strikes on Primorsk and Ust-Luga in the last ten days of March damaged port infrastructure. Export restrictions, coupled with disruptions at major refineries, could lead to a decline in oil production in Russia, the agency’s sources emphasize.
According to satellite imagery, 40% of Primorsk’s oil storage capacity—eight tanks with a capacity of 50,000 cubic meters each—has burned out. The port, which has a daily export capacity of 1 million barrels (almost 1% of global consumption), has 14 crude oil tanks and four diesel tanks.
Reuters sources estimate that as a result of Ukrainian strikes on port terminals, pipelines, and refineries, Russia has lost 20% of its oil export capacity (equivalent to 1 million barrels per day). Previously, this figure had reached 40%, but some capacity has been restored.
Ukraine need to hit it again and again until it is totally leveled.
Striking at anything that has to do with mafia land’s oil industry is never a bad idea, but I think Ukraine found mafia land’s real Achille’s Heel with the destruction of its oil ports. While there are dozens of refineries and oil depots, there are only a small handful of ports where oil can be exported to trash countries that buy it. Thus, Ukraine must strike them until there is nothing left but smoldering ruins.