According to information on Novatek's website, the Ust-Luga seaport complex is located on the Gulf of Finland and is responsible for gas processing and petroleum product processing. The port in the complex is used to transport processed petroleum products to international markets.
Firefighters extinguish a fire in the port of Ust-Luga, Russia on January 21, 2024. Photo: Leningrad Governor Alexander Drozdenko
"There were no casualties as a result of the fire in the port of Ust-Luga. The staff were evacuated," Alexander Drozdenko, governor of Leningrad Oblast, said on the Telegram messaging app.
Russian news agencies reported that two storage tanks and a pumping station were damaged but the fire has now been brought under control. Mr Drozdenko did not say what caused the fire, but Russia’s Shot news agency reported that locals saw a drone flying nearby, followed by several explosions.
St. Petersburg-based Fontanka news agency said at least two drones were spotted in the sky flying towards St. Petersburg before the port caught fire.
Baza, a Russian news agency familiar with security sources, posted a video on Telegram showing large flames shooting into the sky at what appeared to be an industrial complex.
Fontanka news agency reported that three international tankers were anchored near the fire, although there were no reports of damage to them. Governor Drozdenko said a “high alert regime” had been imposed and officials had gathered for an emergency meeting.
Oil and gas company Novatek processed 3.4 million tons of gas condensate at its Ust-Luga seaport complex in the first half of 2023, according to the most recent data, up 0.6% year-on-year.
Russia and Ukraine have regularly targeted each other's energy infrastructure to disrupt supply and logistics lines in a conflict that is about to mark its two-year anniversary.
On Friday, a drone attack also hit an oil depot in Russia's western Bryansk region, which borders Ukraine, for which Moscow blamed Kiev.
Hoang Anh (according to TASS, Reuters, Fontanka)
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