Authorities in Russia’s Leningrad region confirmed that additional mobile fire units would be deployed to protect strategic facilities, including the major Baltic ports of and , which have faced repeated attacks in recent weeks. Governor said the units would include reservists serving on voluntary contracts, tasked specifically with countering unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) threats.

Kyiv has described the strikes as retaliatory measures against Russia’s sustained aerial bombardment of Ukrainian cities. Ukrainian forces have increasingly targeted Russia’s energy infrastructure, aiming to disrupt export revenues that remain a key source of funding for Moscow’s war effort.

The attacks have had a measurable impact on Russia’s oil logistics. According to data cited by the Center for Research on Energy and Clean Air, oil shipments from Ust-Luga and Primorsk fell by roughly half in the week following a March 23 drone strike compared to the same period a year earlier.

Despite these disruptions, Russia’s oil revenues have shown resilience. The reported that Russian oil export earnings nearly doubled to $19 billion in March, reflecting elevated global prices amid broader geopolitical tensions, including conflict in the Middle East.
President had previously authorized the use of reservists to guard energy infrastructure under legislation signed last year, as Ukraine expanded its use of long-range drones to strike deeper into Russian territory.

The intensifying exchange of strikes underscores a shift in the conflict toward targeting economic assets, with both sides seeking to degrade the other’s capacity to sustain prolonged military operations.

Yuri Slyusar, governor of the Rostov Oblast, said falling drone debris triggered fires and prompted evacuations in affected areas.

“Emergency crews are working at the site of the incident, where the debris fell,” he said on Telegram, adding that damage had been recorded and residents moved to safety.

Taganrog Mayor Svetlana Kambulova said emergency services responded to 49 incidents across the city. Eight people were reported injured.

She said debris from intercepted drones damaged multiple residential buildings, social infrastructure and industrial facilities. Emergency crews remained deployed, while air defense units continued operations in the area.

Taganrog, a port city on the eastern edge of the Sea of Azov, lies close to the Ukrainian border and has periodically been affected by spillover from the conflict.

There was no immediate comment from Ukrainian authorities on the reported strike.