Ukraine hits Primorsk – the Baltic port keeping Russia’s shadow fleet in business

A large-scale drone attack struck the port of Primorsk in Russia’s Leningrad Oblast overnight on March 23, causing a fire at the country’s largest Baltic oil export hub and forcing the evacuation of personnel, according to regional authorities.

Ukraine has increasingly targeted energy and export infrastructure inside Russia as part of its strategy to pressure Moscow’s economy and limit its ability to finance the war. Ports, pipelines, and fuel depots are central to Russia’s oil exports, making them high-value targets that can disrupt revenue streams while demonstrating Ukraine’s reach deep into Russian territory.

Fuel tank hit, personnel evacuated

Oblast Governor Alexander Drozdenko said one of the drones hit a fuel storage tank at the port, triggering the blaze, while another damaged a power line near the village of Yermilovo, sparking a grass fire. 

Firefighting efforts were ongoing, and images from the scene showed thick black smoke rising above the facility.

Primorsk is Russia's main Baltic crude export terminal

Primorsk is a key node for Russian oil exports on the Baltic Sea, handling tens of millions of tons of crude and petroleum products annually and serving as the endpoint of the Baltic Pipeline System. Damage to the port could affect Russian energy shipments and infrastructure in the region.

The port is a central point for shipments that use Russia’s “shadow fleet” to circumvent international sanctions. This network of privately operated or lightly regulated tankers allows Moscow to export Urals crude outside official channels, making Primorsk a critical target for disrupting both Russia’s oil logistics and its foreign currency revenues.

249 drones intercepted across multiple regions overnight

The strike was part of a wider wave of drone attacks across Russia overnight. Russia’s Defense Ministry said 249 Ukrainian drones were intercepted over multiple regions, including Leningrad, Bryansk, Belgorod, Kursk, and the Moscow region, as well as over the Azov Sea. Leningrad Oblast alone accounted for more than 50 downed drones, while Bryansk saw 128.

The attack also disrupted air traffic in St. Petersburg, where Pulkovo Airport temporarily imposed restrictions. Russian officials reported at least 48 canceled flights and more than 50 delayed.

The Primorsk attack highlights the growing reach of Ukrainian drone operations and their potential to disrupt critical Russian energy and export infrastructure.