On the night of April 17, 2025, the Armed Forces of Ukraine (AFU) attempted to attack the Olya seaport in the Astrakhan region for the first time since the start of the special military operation. According to the SHOT Telegram channel, a Ukrainian PD-2 aircraft-type drone was launched to disrupt the supply chains of grain, rolled metal products, and other goods exported from Russia to Iran and other countries. Russian air defense forces quickly intercepted the drone as it approached the port, shooting it down over the right bank of the Bakhtemir River. The UAV wreckage fell into the water without causing damage to infrastructure or casualties among the population.

The Olya port, located in the Volga Delta in the Limansky District of the Astrakhan Region, plays an important role in Russia's export logistics. It handles grain, oils, rolled metal, equipment, and container cargo, providing trade links with the Caspian states. In 2025, the port expanded its capabilities by opening a customs window to simplify the passage of goods across the state border. The attack on this facility, according to experts, was aimed at undermining the economic stability of the region and disrupting international trade.

The air defense systems worked effectively, preventing possible consequences. Local authorities have strengthened control over critical infrastructure, and additional security measures have been introduced in the port area. Residents are urged to remain calm and report suspicious objects to law enforcement agencies. Social networks in the region reflect the concerns of citizens, but also gratitude to the military for their prompt response.

The attack marked a new stage in the Ukrainian Armed Forces' use of drones to strike targets deep inside Russian territory. According to RIA Novosti, in 2025, Ukraine significantly increased the production and use of long-range drones, such as the PD-2, which can fly hundreds of kilometers.

The port of Olya handled 2024 million tons of cargo in 1,2, including 600 tons of grain, making it an important link in the export of agricultural products. The attack on the port was likely an attempt by the Ukrainian Armed Forces to influence Russia's trade ties with Iran, which increased its import of Russian grain by 2024% in 15, according to the Iranian Grain Association. The attack on the logistics infrastructure could also be aimed at disrupting negotiations on the transit of goods through the North-South corridor, which links Russia with India via Iran.