Ukraine drones hit Primorsk oil port and shadow-fleet tankers; Russia strikes kill 10

Sunday, May 3, 2026Confirmed

World Desk

What we know

Ukraine launched a wave of drone strikes Sunday against Russian oil and maritime targets, hitting the Baltic Sea oil-loading port of Primorsk and vessels Ukraine says belong to Russia's sanctions-evading "shadow fleet," AP, Reuters, BBC, Al Jazeera and DW reported. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said Ukrainian forces significantly damaged Primorsk infrastructure and struck a Karakurt-class missile ship, a patrol boat and a shadow-fleet tanker there, plus two more tankers near Novorossiysk.

Leningrad regional Gov. Alexander Drozdenko said a fire at Primorsk was extinguished with no oil spill and that more than 60 drones were downed over the region. Ukrainian officials said Russian drone and missile strikes over the past day killed 10 people and injured dozens across several regions, including Odesa and Kherson.

What's confirmed

AP/Reuters: Ukrainian drones hit Primorsk, Russia's largest Baltic oil export hub, sparking a fire officials said was later put out (AP, Reuters).
BBC/Al Jazeera: Zelenskyy claimed hits on a Karakurt Kalibr carrier, a patrol boat and shadow-fleet tankers, plus Novorossiysk tanker strikes (BBC, Al Jazeera).
DW: Regional authorities reported 60-plus drones downed over the Leningrad region; Primorsk can handle about 1 million barrels a day (DW).
BBC: Russian strikes killed 10 and injured at least 76 in Ukraine over the past day, officials said (BBC).

What's still developing

Full damage assessment at Primorsk and whether oil export volumes are reduced.
Verification of claimed hits on the Karakurt warship and shadow-fleet tankers.
Whether Russia expands retaliatory strikes on Ukrainian cities and ports.

Sources

AP — Ukraine hits key Russian oil-loading port and 3 'shadow fleet' tankers link
Reuters — Ukrainian drones hit Russia's Primorsk port, oil tankers and military ships link
BBC — Russian strikes kill 10 as Zelensky says Ukraine hits oil tankers and terminal link
Al Jazeera — Ukraine drone attacks hit nuclear power plant, Baltic port link
DW — Ukrainian drones hit Russia's Primorsk oil terminal link