Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Rig, Patrol Ship in Caspian Sea

Ukraine said its drones targeted a Russian oil rig owned by Lukoil (LKOH.MM) in the Caspian Sea on Friday, as well as a military patrol ship near the platform, marking an intensification of Kyiv’s attacks on Moscow’s oil infrastructure, The Caspian Post reports, citing Reuters.

The strike, officially acknowledged by Ukraine’s general staff, damaged a drilling platform of the Filanovsky oil rig, which has been hit by drone attacks at least twice earlier in December.

Reuters could not independently verify the report, and Lukoil was unavailable for comment.

Kyiv considers Russian oil infrastructure a legitimate target, citing that trade revenue from energy exports is a key source of funding for Moscow’s nearly four-year war in Ukraine. The level of damage to the rig and the patrol ship is still being assessed.

Ukraine has been striking Russian oil refineries throughout 2024 and 2025, and in recent weeks has expanded operations to include sea-drone attacks on Russian shadow fleet tankers in the Black Sea and Mediterranean.