Ukraine struck one of Russia’s most important ports / Fire at Ust-Luga, one of the main oil export hubs on the Baltic Sea

A Ukrainian drone attack caused a fire near the port of Ust-Luga, in Russia’s Leningrad region on the Baltic Sea, on Wednesday, according to Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko. The Russian official also announced that 146 drones had been “neutralized” in the region overnight from Tuesday to Wednesday, as combat operations continued.

“Initial information indicates that a drone attack hit the Ust-Luga port area, causing a fire,” Drozdenko said on Telegram. No immediate details were provided about any possible casualties or the extent of the damage.

Ust-Luga is a strategic port for Russian exports of natural gas, oil, fertilizer and coal. Following the attacks, Pulkovo Airport in St. Petersburg listed more than 18 flights as canceled or delayed on Wednesday morning.

The attacks come as delegations from Ukraine and Russia negotiate in Abu Dhabi, with U.S. mediation, in an effort to find a solution to the war that began in February 2022. Kyiv has intensified its attacks on Russian energy infrastructure over the past 18 months in an effort to reduce the Kremlin’s revenues and its ability to finance the war. Russia, in turn, attacks Ukraine’s power grid.