Aerial view of fires at Russia’s Ust-Luga port on the Baltic Sea after Ukrainian strikes, March 2026
EA-Times Radio VideoCast: Russia Struggles In Its Spring Offensive as Ukraine Counter-Attacks
I joined Ukrainian journalist Daniel Tkiie on Tuesday to analyze Ukraine’s counter-attacks against the Kremlin’s 49-month full-scale invasion, including strikes limiting Russian oil exports.
We begin the 27-minute chat with an evaluation of strikes on the key Russia ports of Ust-Luga and Primorsk on the Baltic Sea. The two ports, which handle 40% of Russia’s maritime oil exports, have suspended intake from refineries.
I explain how the Ukrainians are focusing their attacks on key Russian targets and refining their drone and missile capabilities. Meanwhile, the Russians appear unable to improve their air defenses.
I also summarize the importance of Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky’s tour of the Gulf States, with defense agreements, possible financial and energy assistance, and Ukrainian “political capital” amid the stalled Ukraine-Russia-US talks.
I place the Gulf within the US-Israel War on Iran, with the Trump Administration unapparently unsure what to do next amid the Iranian regime’s defiance and retaliation.