Key facts
- Ukraine launched drone attacks on an oil terminal and a naval base in St. Petersburg, Russia.
- The St. Petersburg drone strikes occurred hours before President Vladimir Putin's annual economic forum.
- Governor Alexander Beglov reported damage and some injuries from the St. Petersburg attacks.
- Russia's Defence Ministry stated it intercepted 339 Ukrainian drones over a 13-hour period.
- The drone activity on Saturday affected 13 Russian regions, including Moscow, and the Black Sea.
- Ukrainian drones launched towards Finland on May 15 triggered a security alert affecting 1.8 million people.
- Helsinki-Vantaa Airport experienced halted air traffic due to the drone alert.
- The Finnish Defense Forces confirmed no violation of Finnish airspace.
- A Russian drone struck a spent nuclear fuel storage facility near Chornobyl.
- An official U.S. delegation will attend the St. Petersburg Economic Forum.
- The U.S. delegation's attendance is the first official presence since 2017/2018.
Ukraine conducted drone attacks on an oil terminal and a naval base in St. Petersburg, Russia, on Wednesday morning. These strikes occurred just hours before President Vladimir Putin's annual economic forum was scheduled to commence. Governor Alexander Beglov confirmed that the attacks resulted in damage and some injuries. President Zelenskyy later confirmed that the strikes were aimed at Russian navy arsenals, occurring shortly after President Putin reportedly rejected peace talks. Russia's Defence Ministry claimed its forces intercepted and destroyed 339 Ukrainian drones over a 13-hour period on Saturday. This extensive drone activity reportedly affected 13 Russian regions, including Moscow, and the Black Sea, leading to temporary flight suspensions at several airports. In a separate incident on May 15, explosive-laden drones launched by Ukraine towards Finland triggered a security alert impacting 1.8 million people and halting air traffic at Helsinki-Vantaa Airport. While initially suspected to be of Russian origin, Ukraine later issued a warning about an accidental launch, and the Finnish Defense Forces confirmed no violation of Finnish airspace occurred. In another development, a Russian drone struck a spent nuclear fuel storage facility near Chornobyl, causing partial destruction to its container reception building. Ukrainian officials stated that no nuclear fuel was present at the facility during the strike, and radiation levels remained stable. Amidst these events, an official U.S. delegation, led by Rodney Cook of the U.S. Commission of Fine Arts, is scheduled to attend the St. Petersburg Economic Forum. This marks the first official U.S. delegation presence at the forum since 2017/2018. Saudi Arabia is designated as the main guest for this year's forum.