Ukrainian military drones have struck Russia's Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga for the fifth time in 10 days, as Kyiv continues to escalate attacks on Russia's oil export infrastructure. Regional governor Alexander Drozdenko reported that three people, including two children, were injured and several buildings were damaged in the overnight assaults. In a Telegram message, he stated that air-raid alerts in the region had been lifted but provided no details on port damage.
Ust-Luga, located on the southeastern shore of the Gulf of Finland, is a sprawling complex of oil-processing facilities and export terminals handling crude oil and oil products. Authorities confirmed it was hit on March 22, 25, 27, 29, and 31, forcing suspensions of export operations. According to source-based data, the port exported 32.9 million metric tonnes of oil products last year and typically handles about 700,000 barrels of crude oil per day. Ukraine has intensified attacks on Russia's oil export infrastructure over the past month, launching its heaviest drone assaults of the more than four-year war against Baltic ports like Ust-Luga and Primorsk.
Peace talks to end the war in Ukraine have been suspended due to the Middle East conflict, and officials in Kyiv have expressed concerns that weapons supplies could be diverted away from Ukraine as Western military resources are stretched. Oil prices have surged to their highest level in nearly two weeks amid escalation on multiple fronts of the US-Israel war on Iran, with Brent crude topping $116 a barrel. At least 40% of Russia's oil export capacity has been halted due to drone attacks, a disputed strike on a major pipeline, and tanker seizures, according to Reuters calculations based on market data.
Cash-strapped Ukraine is also grappling with rising fuel costs due to the oil price surge. Kyiv announced that its air defences shot down 267 out of 289 drones launched by Russia overnight towards Ukrainian territory, while Russia's Defence Ministry claimed its army took control of the village of Mala Korchakivka in Ukraine's northern Sumy region. The European Union's top diplomat Kaja Kallas and several EU foreign ministers reiterated their support for Ukraine upon arriving in Kyiv to mark the fourth anniversary of Russia's massacre in Bucha, where Ukrainian officials and rights groups allege Russian troops killed over 400 people.
Kallas posted on X that Bucha has come to symbolise the cruelty of Russia's war, and the EU is committed to ensuring accountability. However, a 90-billion-euro EU loan was blocked by Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban due to a dispute over Russian oil transit via Ukraine's Druzhba pipeline, highlighting financial and political friction within the bloc. Hungary is also blocking progress on talks about Ukraine's accession to the EU, further complicating support efforts.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on partners to remain focused on the war in Ukraine despite the widening impact of the conflict with Iran, asserting that the future of Europe is being decided in Ukraine. These statements, however, come amid ongoing challenges, including internal EU divisions and the economic strain of prolonged warfare, casting doubt on the sustainability of international backing.
Source: www.aljazeera.com