Friends, happy Independence Day of Ukraine! This year marks the 34th anniversary of Ukraine’s restored independence. On this day, Ukrainian defense forces carried out several successful drone attacks inside Russia, most notably targeting gas infrastructure at the Ust-Luga port near St. Petersburg.
Ust-Luga is the largest Baltic port and Russia’s second-largest after Novorossiysk. The attacked facility is a Gazprom gas complex, struck at its cryogenic hydrocarbon processing installation. This plant is vital, annually processing up to 45 billion cubic meters of natural gas and producing up to 13 million tons of LNG, much of which is still exported to EU countries.
Despite the ongoing war, European nations continue to import Russian liquefied natural gas, spending more on it than on aid to Ukraine. This drone strike dealt a significant blow to Russia’s economy, underscoring the urgent need for effective sanctions. The attack also caused temporary airport closures in St. Petersburg.
The number of deep strikes into Russian territory is expected to grow as Ukraine advances its long-range drone capabilities. This poses a dilemma for the Russian leadership: continue the war at the risk of economic collapse, or consider freezing the conflict—which has not happened yet.
The author urges support for Ukraine’s army with donations, especially today. Over the past day, soldiers received 310 new FPV drones. Military units express gratitude for donations that help defend Ukraine effectively.
The article also discusses US policy. While Donald Trump criticized President Biden for restricting Ukraine’s use of American weapons inside Russia, in practice the US maintains the same approach: each strike must be approved by the Pentagon. In the meantime, Ukraine is ramping up production of its own long-range strike tools.
Main point: Victory and independence cannot be guaranteed without partner and citizen support. That is why it is vital to contribute to Ukraine's defense now.
