Ukraine launched a wave of strikes on Sunday targeting Russian oil export infrastructure, hitting a key loading port on the Baltic Sea and two tankers that Ukrainian officials allege were part of a 'shadow fleet' used to illegally transport Russian oil.
The attacks struck a major oil-loading terminal on the Baltic coast, a critical node for Russian crude exports. The two vessels, according to Ukraine, were among a group of tankers that Moscow employs to circumvent international sanctions on its oil trade.
Ukraine has described the tankers as part of a 'shadow fleet'—a term used by Kyiv and Western governments for ships that operate with opaque ownership, often without standard insurance, to move Russian oil in violation of sanctions imposed after the 2022 invasion. Ukrainian authorities say the targeted vessels were illegally transporting Russian crude.
The strikes are the latest in a series of Ukrainian operations against Russia's energy infrastructure. Ukraine has repeatedly stated that such attacks aim to disrupt a key source of funding for Moscow's war effort. The Baltic port is a significant outlet for Russian oil shipments to global markets.
No immediate comment from Russian officials was available in the reports. The extent of damage to the port and tankers was not detailed. The operation underscores Ukraine's continued focus on degrading Russia's oil export capacity, which remains a vital economic lifeline for the Kremlin.
Read the original coverage
💬 Comments
📜 Comment Policy