Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces carried out a series of coordinated drone strikes across Russian territory on Sunday, targeting key energy and naval assets, including a major oil-exporting hub at Primorsk on the Baltic Sea, in what appears to be an intensification of Kyiv’s strategy to weaken Moscow’s logistical and economic capabilities.
According to Zelenskyy, the strikes caused substantial damage to the oil terminal at Primorsk, a critical export point capable of handling up to one million barrels of oil per day. He also stated that Ukrainian forces hit multiple maritime targets, including an oil tanker, a Karakurt-class missile ship, and a patrol vessel operating in the Baltic Sea, describing the operation as part of ongoing efforts to reduce Russia’s war potential by disrupting its energy and military infrastructure.
Regional authorities in Russia acknowledged the attacks, with officials in the northwestern region reporting that more than 60 drones were intercepted overnight. They confirmed that a fire had broken out at the Primorsk facility but said it was quickly brought under control, adding that there had been no oil spill. Despite these assurances, the scale and frequency of such strikes have raised concerns about vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure.
In other parts of Russia, additional drone incidents were reported. In the Belgorod region, which borders Ukraine, a drone strike reportedly hit a civilian vehicle, killing a 21-year-old man and his father. Elsewhere, regional officials in areas such as Smolensk and near Moscow reported injuries and interceptions linked to drone activity, indicating the widespread geographic reach of the attacks.
Zelenskyy also stated that Ukrainian forces targeted vessels linked to Russia’s so-called shadow oil fleet near the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk, signalling a continued focus on disrupting maritime energy logistics. He emphasised that Ukraine intends to further develop its long-range strike capabilities across land, air, and sea domains, suggesting that such operations may continue or expand in scope.
In response, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov indicated that continued attacks on Russian oil infrastructure could have broader global economic consequences, including pushing oil prices higher. He suggested that reduced supply volumes might be offset by rising prices, potentially sustaining revenue flows despite disruptions.
The escalation comes amid a prolonged conflict between Ukraine and Russia, with diplomatic efforts to end hostilities remaining stalled. At the same time, fighting continues on the ground, particularly in eastern Ukraine, where Russian forces are reportedly advancing toward strategic locations in the Donetsk region.
Overall, the latest wave of drone strikes highlights a shift toward deeper, long-range operations targeting economic infrastructure, signalling an evolving phase of the conflict where energy assets and supply routes are increasingly central to the battlefield strategy.
