On the night of 10–11 November, Ukrainian drones attacked the seaport of Ust-Luga in Russia’s Leningrad Oblast — one of the country’s largest export hubs on the Baltic Sea. Following the strikes, a massive fire broke out within the port, the glow of which, according to eyewitness reports, was visible even from neighbouring Estonia. The Russian authorities confirmed damage to the port’s infrastructure and an emergency shutdown of the power substation. The information about the fire has been confirmed by Alexander Drozdenco, Governor of the Leningrad Oblast.
Briefly about the main points
- On the night of 10–11 November, drones attacked the Russian port of Ust-Luga.
- A major fire broke out in the port area following the strikes.
- The Russian authorities have confirmed damage to infrastructure and the shutdown of an electrical substation.
- Authorities in the Leningrad Region have reported that around 150 drones have been shot down.
A fire broke out at the port of Ust-Luga following a drone attack
The first reports of explosions in the Ust-Luga area emerged during the night. The Exilenova+ monitoring channel released footage showing intense flames and thick plumes of smoke rising above the port area. According to reports from the scene, the glow was visible from Estonia.
Subsequently, the Governor of the Leningrad Region Oleksandr Drozdzenko confirmed that drones had struck the port area and caused a fire. The relevant services were called in to put out the fire.
In addition, an emergency power cut occurred at a transformer substation in Ust-Luga. As a result of the attack Three employees were injured.
The Russian authorities have claimed to have intercepted around 150 drones over the Leningrad Oblast. There is no independent confirmation of this figure.
Tankers could have been hit
According to preliminary reports from monitoring channels, vessels in the port may have been affected by the attack. However, there is currently no reliable information regarding damage to the tankers, their number or the nature of the damage.
The extent of the damage to the port infrastructure is also being assessed. At the time the first reports emerged, there had been no official statement from the Ukrainian command regarding the outcome of the operation.
Following the night-time attack at the airport Pulkovo Restrictions on aircraft arrivals and departures were introduced near St Petersburg. The Baltic states reported a threat from drones, whilst Finland temporarily restricted the use of part of its airspace.
Ust-Luga is one of Russia’s key export ports
Ust-Luga is situated on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, not far from the border with Estonia. It is Russia’s largest port on the Baltic Sea in terms of cargo throughput and one of the main routes for the export of oil, petroleum products, coal and other goods.
Significant volumes of Russian energy exports pass through its terminals, including cargoes carried by tankers belonging to the so-called ‘shadow fleet’.
The port infrastructure at Ust-Luga has been the target of Ukrainian attacks on several occasions. In particular, on 1 September 2026, drones struck the «Novatek–Ust-Luga» complex, damaging technical equipment and causing a fire.
