Key facts
- Ukraine launched drone strikes on an oil terminal and a naval base in St. Petersburg.
- The attacks occurred hours before President Vladimir Putin's annual economic forum.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed the drone strikes.
- Russian air defenses reportedly intercepted 59 drones overnight.
- Some infrastructure objects were damaged, and several people sustained injuries.
- Flights at Pulkovo airport were temporarily restricted.
Ukrainian drones struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg and a warship in dry-dock at a nearby naval base, hours before President Vladimir Putin's showcase economic forum began. The attack on Putin's home city occurred as both sides intensify strikes in the ongoing war. The Kremlin stated Russia would continue systematic strikes in response. Governor Alexander Beglov reported that unspecified 'infrastructure objects' were attacked in three districts, while Governor Alexander Drozdenko said air defenses shot down 59 drones overnight. Several facilities were damaged and some people were injured, but no fatalities were reported. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed the strikes, noting they also targeted a military facility in Kronstadt. Unconfirmed video showed drones striking the corvette Boiky in a dry dock. Flights at Pulkovo airport were temporarily restricted, leading to over 30 delays or cancellations. Zelenskiy stated that stepped-up strikes inside Russia enable Kyiv to negotiate the end of the war on equal footing and cut Moscow's main funding source for the war. Satellite imagery captured the aftermath, showing smoke rising from the oil terminal and fire crews tending to the damaged warship. The oil terminal is described as one of the largest transshipment complexes for petroleum products in the Baltic region. Additional strikes targeted a weapons production facility in the Tambov region and an airfield in occupied Crimea.