Drones strike Russia’s Ust-Luga port again as EU officials visit Ukraine

Ukrainian drones have struck Russia's Ust-Luga port on the Baltic Sea for the fifth time in 10 days, part of an intensified campaign targeting Russian oil export infrastructure. The overnight attacks on Tuesday injured three people and damaged several buildings, though the extent of the port damage is unclear. Ust-Luga is a major complex for oil processing and export, handling significant volumes of crude oil and oil products. These attacks come as Ukraine reports shooting down a large number of Russian drones and amid concerns about dwindling Western military resources due to the Middle East war, which has also contributed to rising global oil prices.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that some of Ukraine's allies have requested Kyiv to scale back its attacks on Russia's oil sector due to concerns about rising global energy prices. Zelenskyy indicated a willingness to reciprocate if Russia ceases attacks on Ukraine's energy infrastructure and expressed openness to an Easter ceasefire. The US reportedly conveyed this message to Ukraine, with initial signals potentially originating from Moscow. Zelenskyy also announced a 10-year defense agreement with Bulgaria, focused on joint weapons production, including drones, within both countries. This agreement aims to systematize security cooperation and leverage Bulgaria's historical expertise in Soviet-standard weaponry, beneficial to Ukraine's military.

Ukraine claimed responsibility for a drone strike that caused a fire at Russia's Baltic port of Ust-Luga on Sunday, a key hub for Russian exports. The attack is part of Ukraine's intensified retaliatory efforts to disrupt Russian infrastructure and cut off revenue streams funding their offensive. According to the regional governor, there was damage to the port, but no casualties were reported, and emergency services are working to extinguish the fire. The governor also stated that thirty-six drones were destroyed overnight in the region. Ukraine's SBU security service confirmed their drones "successfully struck" the Ust-Luga oil terminal.