Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Fuel Infrastructure at Primorsk Port and Kstovo Oil Refinery

Ukrainian drone units struck the Primorsk oil port tied to Transneft and the Lukoil refinery in Kstovo overnight, according to the official channel of the Commander of the Unmanned Systems Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on April 5.

Commander Robert "Madyar" Brovdi confirmed this on his Telegram channel that Ukrainian operators hit infrastructure near the port of Primorsk on Russia’s Baltic coast and also targeted Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez in Kstovo, one of Lukoil’s main refineries.

The statement framed the operation as a coordinated strike against Russia’s oil sector and identified the attack as taking place during the night of April 5.

Videos posted online by local residents also appeared to show intense air defense activity during the attack, as explosions and flashes were filmed over the area.

In the Leningrad region, the post pointed to remarks from Governor Alexander Drozdenko, who confirmed that “one of the sections of the oil pipeline in the area of the port of Primorsk was damaged” and that a “safe burn-off” was underway.

Regarding the Kstovo strike, the commander’s channel noted that open-source monitoring footage showed a large fire at the refinery, while officials publicly described the aftermath as minor smoke from debris.

The statement linked the strikes to pressure on Russia’s fuel and logistics base, portraying them as part of a campaign to raise the cost of the war for Moscow.

The commander summarized the operation by stating, “We strike with willow, we hit the bunker grandfather’s wallet with drones.”

The reported hits also align with wider consequences for Russia’s Baltic oil export infrastructure, as Russian oil exports from the Baltic terminals at Primorsk and Ust-Luga were halted after Ukrainian drone strikes damaged loading infrastructure and triggered major fires last week.

The stoppage hit two key export points after earlier attacks disrupted terminal operations and forced a broader suspension of oil-handling activity.

Those earlier strikes damaged infrastructure at both facilities and set off large fires, escalating pressure on one of Russia’s main Baltic export routes

Support our frontline reporters

We report from the front lines to show the reality of war. Your support helps us stay there and tell the stories that matter.

DONATE NOW