During the morning, a Russian gas terminal started to burn.
A Ukrainian drone attack is probably behind the fire.
– This has a psychological effect, says former lieutenant colonel Jörgen Elfving.
The fire that broke out in a gas terminal in the Russian port city of Ust-Luga on Sunday morning was likely started by a Ukrainian drone attack. A video sequence that has been shared on social media shows a drone and then explosions at what is said to be the facility in question.
– I see no other alternative than that this is a Ukrainian drone attack. I find it hard to imagine that there is any other actor who would be interested in carrying out this type of attack, says Jörgen Elfving, former lieutenant colonel.
Zelenskyy warned in New Year’s speech
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has previously warned Russia against similar attacks. In his New Year’s speech, he said Russia will suffer on its home front in 2024 and earlier this week another oil terminal caught fire, then in Russia’s Bryansk region.
According to Jörgen Elfving, the biggest effect of these attacks is the psychological aspect.
– The Russian population is exposed to the official propaganda in the media, especially television, where they show successes in the war. Then you have another reality, where targets in Russia are attacked, he says.
– This means that the war, which may have been relatively distant and abstract, has become very tangible for the Russian public.
According to several sources, Ukraine has large drones with a range of 120 miles and right now infrastructure near Saint Petersburg seems to be particular targets.
“Expect Russian response measures”
Previously, Ukraine has only attacked one target in western Russia. Then it was an air base. According to Jörgen Elfving, the attacks can be seen as a response to Russia’s attacks around the Christmas and New Year holidays – which targeted Ukrainian infrastructure and also the defense industry.
– You give back in the same way.
Now there is a risk of counterattacks.
– We will probably see further Ukrainian drone attacks directed at targets in Russia. Depending on how successful it is, we can certainly count on Russian response measures, says Jörgen Elfving.