Ukraine strikes St Petersburg infrastructure ahead of economic forum
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirms targeted strikes as part of long-range sanctions strategy, while Russian air defences intercept 59 drones overnight.
Ukrainian drones have struck oil storage facilities and a naval base in St Petersburg and the nearby town of Kronstadt, respectively, hours before the opening of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum. Russian air defences intercepted 59 drones overnight, with three districts of the city affected but no fatalities reported. The strikes caused mobile internet disruptions and temporarily closed Pulkovo Airport.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the attacks, stating they were part of a long-range sanctions plan to bring peace closer. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov vowed a systemic response to the incident. The forum, attended by guests from 130 countries including a low-key US delegation, proceeded despite the disruption.
Robert Brovdi, commander of Ukraine's unmanned systems, claimed on Telegram that the Russian corvette Boikiy was struck. Unverified social media videos showed drones targeting docked military ships in Kronstadt, though the footage cut off before impact. Kronstadt serves as the main outpost for the Russian Navy's Baltic Fleet.
The St Petersburg Economic Forum is a flagship Russian political event, historically attended by high-profile Western delegations, including CEOs and heads of state, prior to the 2022 full-scale invasion of Ukraine. This year, for the first time in nearly a decade, a low-key US delegation is also due to participate in the forum. It is led by the head of the US Commission of Fine Arts Rodney Mims Cook Jr, the official who has been overseeing President Donald Trump's ballroom project at the White House. US right-wing commentator Candace Owens and Putin-backing US actor Steven Seagal are also due to attend.
In a tongue-in-cheek post on X, Denys Shtilierman of Ukrainian defence company Fire Point said: "Due to such distinguished guests and the importance of the event itself, we couldn't ignore it - and urgently flew to [St Petersburg]." The post was accompanied by videos of drones crossing the sky and thick black smoke billowing from undisclosed locations on the sea front.
In the four years since Russia's invasion began, Ukraine has developed a booming defence sector. Kyiv is now able to regularly hit targets within Russia, focusing its efforts on energy infrastructure and oil facilities, which it sees as fuelling the Russian war machine. On Wednesday, seven people were killed after a drone hit a passenger bus travelling in the Russia-controlled Donetsk region of Ukraine, a Moscow-installed official said. Moscow, meanwhile, continues to strike Ukrainian cities, resulting in regular civilian casualties. On Monday night alone, at least 22 people were killed in combined missile and drone strikes across Ukraine.
Latvia and Estonia issued air raid alerts in response to the drone activity near St Petersburg.
