Ukrainian drones struck the Novatek-Ust-Luga complex at Russia’s Baltic Sea port in Leningrad Oblast early on Sept. 1, Ukraine’s military intelligence agency (HUR) confirmed.The strike damaged key components of an oil-processing unit and other technological equipment, causing a large fire at the facility, according to HUR.The operation was carried out jointly by HUR’s Active Operations Department, its Unmanned Systems Department, and other Ukrainian defense forces, the agency said.Ust-Luga is one of Russia's largest and most important ports on the Baltic Sea and home to an oil terminal that serves as a major hub for the export of crude oil and petroleum products. Located west of St. Petersburg, far from Ukraine's border, the port plays an important role in generating revenue for the state budget.Earlier, Leningrad Oblast Governor Alexander Drozdenko confirmed damage at the port. He claimed Russian air defenses had intercepted 38 drones across the region, including 17 near Ust-Luga.Russian air defense reported downing dozens of drones over the region in the hours between Aug. 31 and Sept. 1, with 17 drones intercepted during the ongoing attack in the Ust-Luga port area. By 6 a.m. local time, Drozdenko said 38 drones had been destroyed over Leningrad Oblast and confirmed damage at the port. Footage circulating on Telegram appeared to show a fire at the port. The extent of the damage caused was not immediately clear.Separately, Samara Oblast was targeted by Ukrainian drones, according to local officials.In Yekaterinburg, outdoor school ceremonies scheduled for Sept. 1 were canceled following the Aug. 31 drone attack. Similar restrictions were imposed in at least 16 Russian regions.The Kyiv Independent cannot verify the claims made by Russian officials.As Kyiv steps up its attacks on Russian oil infrastructure, the Ust-Luga port has repeatedly served as a target of attacks in recent months. The Ukrainian military carried out a series of deep strikes against the Ust-Luga port in March and April of this year.The most recent reported attack on the facility occurred on Aug. 14, damaging two processing plants and sparking a fire, the General Staff confirmed.Ukraine has been aging an increasingly successful deep strike campaign against Russian oil infrastructure, striking oil depots, disrupting production at major facilities, and in some cases halting operations indefinitely.Ukraine's oil infrastructure attacks have mounted pressure on the Kremlin by aggravating a domestic fuel supply crisis that has already caused export bans, price hikes, and sales restrictions across Russia.
Ukraine confirms drone strike on Russia’s Ust-Luga port
A Ukrainian drone attack damaged the Russian Baltic Sea port of Ust-Luga in Leningrad Oblast early on Sept. 1, regional Governor Alexander Drozdenko said.











