Ukraine drones strike St. Petersburg; Russia reports 144 drones downed

Key facts

• Ukraine launched drone attacks on St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region.
• Russia reported shooting down 144 drones.
• A defense ministry facility and oil depots were reportedly hit.
• Pulkovo Airport operations were temporarily disrupted.
• Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed strikes targeting Russian navy arsenals.
• The attacks occurred hours after President Putin rejected peace talks.

Ukraine launched a significant drone barrage targeting St. Petersburg and the surrounding Leningrad region on Saturday, coinciding with the final day of a major investment forum. The strikes hit a defense ministry facility, a naval base in Kronstadt, and oil depots in Lomonosov and the Krasnodar region. Russian Governor Alexander Drozdenko described the assault as 'unprecedented,' with 144 drones reportedly shot down. Operations at Pulkovo Airport, Russia's second-largest commercial airport, were temporarily disrupted. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the strikes, stating they targeted Russian navy arsenals. This escalation occurred hours after President Vladimir Putin, speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, rejected a proposal for peace talks with Kyiv. Russia continued its own attacks on Ukraine, with regional authorities reporting at least 12 civilian deaths and over 70 injuries nationwide in the preceding day.