Lauge Risom Koch 
A drone strike triggered a fire at Russia’s key oil port in Primorsk, raising concerns over repeated attacks on critical energy infrastructure.
A nighttime drone attack has reportedly ignited a fire at one of Russia’s most important oil export hubs.
Conflicting accounts have since emerged, raising questions about the scale of the damage.
Port under attack
According to WP.pl, drones struck an oil terminal in Primorsk, in Russia’s Leningrad region, during the night of May 2–3.
A fire broke out at the port, with monitoring data from NASA FIRMS later indicating ongoing flames in the area in the early hours.
The report also suggested that a Pantsir air defence system stationed to protect the facility may have been targeted.
Regional governor Aleksandr Drozdenko said on Telegram that the attack had been repelled and that the fire was quickly brought under control.
Strategic target
Primorsk is one of Russia’s main Baltic Sea oil export terminals and a crucial outlet for the country’s energy supplies.
In an interview with Wirtualna Polska, General Roman Polko described the port as the “lifeblood” of Russia’s economy.
WP.pl reported that the blaze may have spread to an oil-loading platform, although official confirmation of damage remains limited.
The port forms part of the Baltic Pipeline System and handles up to around 1 million barrels of oil per day.
Repeated strikes
The facility has been targeted multiple times in recent months, according to Militarnyi.
On April 5, drones reportedly damaged a section of pipeline near the port, while another strike was recorded in late March.
Shipping data cited by the outlet indicated that tanker traffic had already been disrupted, with vessels anchoring offshore instead of docking.
The port is one of three major oil export hubs in European Russia, alongside Ust-Luga and Novorossiysk.
Defence system
The Pantsir-S1 air defence system, believed to be deployed at the site, is a key part of Russia’s short- and medium-range protection network.
The system is designed to intercept aerial threats at distances of up to 20 kilometres and altitudes reaching 15 kilometres.
According to WP.pl, it is also equipped with rapid-fire cannons capable of firing thousands of rounds per minute.
Reports indicate the system is considered highly effective against drone attacks, though its status following the incident remains unclear.
Sources: Astra, Wirtualna Polska, Militarnyi, NASA FIRMS
