Ukraine's General Staff confirms strike on Novatek-Ust-Luga complex in Russia

On August 14, Ukraine's General Staff confirmed a strike on the Novatek-Ust-Luga processing and transshipment complex in Russia's Leningrad Oblast. The attack, which took place overnight, resulted in a fire breaking out at the site. Preliminary reports indicate that two processing units within the complex sustained damage. Novatek-Ust-Luga is a crucial facility for Russia's gas condensate processing, boasting an annual capacity of approximately 8 million tons.

The complex's output is vital for Russia's war-related economic activities and to meet the needs of its armed forces.

Ukraine's Defense Forces stated that efforts to target significant enemy assets are ongoing. Earlier that day, Leningrad Oblast Governor Alexander Drozdenko reported that drones had targeted the region. Shortly after the strike, a fire erupted at the Ust-Luga port. In March, Ukraine's SBU Security Service reported successful long-range drone strikes on infrastructure at the Ust-Luga oil terminal, with satellite images confirming extensive fires at the ports of Primorsk and Ust-Luga.

Later that month, Bloomberg reported that Ust-Luga had restarted oil exports at a minimal level following a period of shutdown. On April 7, Ukraine's General Staff disclosed a fresh strike on the Ust-Luga port, claiming that three storage tanks were targeted.