The scent of war has permeated St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city and President Vladimir Putin's hometown, as Ukraine's relentless drone attacks on Russian oil terminals have unleashed a fiery, acrid smell that has left residents like Konstantin, an asthmatic 53-year-old, feeling vulnerable and betrayed. The attacks, which have been meticulously planned and executed over Russian territory, have not only caused a sharp decline in Russia's Baltic oil exports but have also drained Moscow's war chest, costing them a staggering $1 billion. The terminals at Ust-Luga and Primorsk, located on opposite sides of the Gulf of Finland, are a crucial link in Russia's oil supply chain, handling two-fifths of Moscow's seaborne oil exports and almost 2% of the global oil supply. The strikes, which have been occurring since late March, have resulted in sky-high fires that have lasted for days, leaving a trail of destruction in their wake. The smell, which varies from diesel engine exhaust to burning plastic and rotten eggs, has become a constant reminder of the war's impact on the city. The attacks are part of a broader strategy by Ukraine to reduce Moscow's windfall income from oil exports, which has soared since Washington and Tel Aviv began bombarding Iran at the end of February. The strikes are also seen as a new trump card in negotiations with the Kremlin, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposing a moratorium on strikes on energy sites in Ukraine. However, the strikes have inadvertently benefited Iran by contributing to rising global oil prices and giving Tehran additional leverage in negotiations with Washington. The Ukrainian strategy, which dates back to 2023, has been to concentrate on Russia's oil refineries, rather than responding in kind by hitting Russian civilian areas. This has been made possible by the destruction of air defense systems in Russia and occupied Ukrainian regions, allowing Ukraine to use long-range drones to carry out the strikes. The strikes have not only impacted Russia's oil industry but have also had a psychological effect on the residents of St. Petersburg, who are now constantly exposed to the threat of drone attacks and the smell of burning oil. The situation raises a deeper question about the nature of the war and the lengths to which Ukraine will go to protect its citizens and drain Russia's resources. As the war continues, the residents of St. Petersburg will continue to bear the brunt of the conflict, with the smell of war becoming an ever-present reminder of the human cost of the war.
