Ukraine launched a long-range drone strike on Russia’s Port of Olya, damaging the cargo ship Port Olya-4 believed to be carrying Iranian drone parts.
Ukraine has claimed responsibility for a drone attack on Russia’s Port of Olya in the Caspian Sea, hitting the general cargo vessel Port Olya-4 on August 14. According to Ukraine’s General Staff, the 403-foot ship, built in 2012 with a capacity of around 5,185 dwt, was docked when it was targeted. Ukrainian officials said the vessel was unloading components for Iranian Shahed drones and ammunition.
Imagery circulating online and analyzed by independent observers indicates the vessel sustained heavy damage and may be partially submerged, though the final status of the ship remains under assessment. Ukrainian military officials have noted that a battle damage review is still ongoing.
The operation was carried out more than 500 miles from the front lines, underlining Kyiv’s growing ability to launch long-range drone strikes. On the same day, Ukrainian forces also attacked the Syzran oil refinery in Russia’s Samara region, a key facility for aviation fuel production, causing fires and explosions.
Port Olya, located in Russia’s Astrakhan region, is the country’s largest commercial harbor on the Caspian Sea and handles roughly 1.5 million tons of cargo annually across 10 docks. Western and Ukrainian intelligence reports have previously identified it as a central hub for shipments of Iranian weaponry, including drone parts and ammunition, to Russia.
Analysts say the strike highlights Ukraine’s increasing reliance on domestically developed long-range drones and missiles, reducing its dependence on Western-supplied systems. The attack also carries political weight, occurring just hours before a summit in Alaska between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, where Ukraine was not represented. Ukrainian officials have suggested such operations are designed to undercut Moscow’s military supply lines while limiting its leverage on the international stage.