Over the course of Sunday night, Ukrainian drones launched assaults on the Sheskharis oil terminal located at the Black Sea port of Novorossiysk in Russia’s Krasnodar region, as reported by channels monitoring the ongoing conflict. Online videos purportedly displayed a significant fire raging at the port. Additional strikes on oil facilities across other areas were also documented. On Monday morning, Russia’s military announced that its air defense units had intercepted 148 Ukrainian drones within a span of three hours, resulting in power outages affecting nearly half a million households due to airstrikes. Russian authorities reported that one drone attack in the Belgorod border region claimed a life and struck an apartment building in Novorossiysk.
The Institute for the Study of War noted an increase in Ukrainian attacks targeting Russia’s oil infrastructure in recent weeks, particularly focusing on the Baltic Sea port and oil facilities in the Leningrad region, which are vital for Russian oil exports. They highlighted a strike on Primorsk that occurred overnight between April 4 and 5, marking the third such attack on the port in a fortnight. Furthermore, on April 5, Ukrainian forces reportedly targeted the Lukoil-Nizhegorodnefteorgsintez refinery in Kstovo, Nizhny Novgorod region, approximately 1,000 kilometers from Primorsk, igniting a fire. Geolocated footage confirmed Russian air defense responses, while NASA’s global satellite fire monitoring system indicated fires, and the regional governor acknowledged the attacks and damage inflicted upon oil facilities.
Military bloggers in Russia remarked that the damage caused by these strikes would be both costly and time-intensive to rectify, emphasizing the challenges in replacing damaged or lost Russian vessels. The Institute for the Study of War pointed out that Russian military bloggers have expressed frustrations regarding the country’s difficulties in repairing damaged infrastructure due to sanctions on parts and failures in air defense systems.
In Crimea, which Russia has occupied since 2014, the governor of Sevastopol reported that the city experienced four drone attacks on Sunday, with seven drones intercepted in the latest assault. In the Russian-occupied Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine, Andrei Chertkov, the head of the Russia-installed government, stated that repair teams had restored power to the major cities of Donetsk and Makiivka following Ukrainian strikes. Power outages were also reported in areas of the Zaporizhzhia region under Russian control.
A cargo vessel transporting wheat sank in the Sea of Azov after purportedly being attacked by Ukrainian drones, according to a Russia-installed official. This incident, which occurred on Friday, resulted in one fatality and two individuals reported missing. Vladimir Saldo, the Moscow-appointed leader of the Russian-controlled regions in Kherson, indicated that the crew, who abandoned the ship, only managed to reach land by Sunday. Ukraine has denied targeting such vessels unless there is a legitimate military objective.
In discussions held on Sunday, Ukraine and Syria pledged to enhance their security cooperation, as announced by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The Ukrainian leader, who continued his tour of Middle Eastern nations, met with Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa in Damascus.
Zelenskyy expressed his worries that a prolonged conflict involving the US and Israel against Iran could diminish American support for Ukraine, as Washington’s global focus may shift. He noted that Kyiv is already facing a reduction in crucial deliveries of Patriot air defense missiles. Emphasizing the urgency of their situation, Zelenskyy remarked, “We have to recognize that we are not the priority for today,” voicing concerns that a lengthy war involving Iran could result in reduced assistance for Ukraine.
He pointed out that Russia is reaping economic advantages from the conflict in Iran, citing the limited easing of American sanctions on Russian oil, which has allowed Russia to gain additional funds. The rising oil prices, driven by Iran’s closure of the Strait of Hormuz, further complicate this situation by increasing the Kremlin’s oil revenues and enhancing its capability to maintain military operations. In response, Ukraine has intensified its offensive against Russian oil production and export facilities.
Zelenskyy also expressed Ukraine’s willingness to share its knowledge and technological advancements with Gulf Arab nations threatened by Iran, including interceptor drones and naval drones, which Ukraine produces with support from the U.S. and European partners. In exchange, he suggested that these countries could assist Ukraine with anti-ballistic missile systems. Furthermore, Ukraine’s president has positioned the country as a potential ally in securing global trade routes, offering to share its experiences in safeguarding maritime corridors in the Black Sea to aid in reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
