Ukraine drone attacks: Ukraine drones attack St. Petersburg oil terminal, naval base, while Russia reports 8 civilians killed in bus attack
Ukraine carried out one of its deepest drone strikes inside Russia overnight, targeting energy and military facilities in St. Petersburg as the city prepared to host President Vladimir Putin’s major economic forum.Meanwhile, Russian officials accused Ukraine of carrying out a separate drone attack on a passenger bus in the Russian-controlled part of the Donetsk region, killing 8 people and injuring several more.The strikes came hours after a deadly wave of Russian missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities, reflecting an intensifying tit-for-tat campaign that has deepened the war in the two countries’ territory.Ukrainian long-range drones attacked an oil terminal and military facilities in St. Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city, causing a temporary airport closure and disrupting communications ahead of the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), according to news agency AP.Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the drone flew more than 1,000 kilometers to attack the St. Petersburg oil terminal.Video shared by Ukrainian officials showed thick black smoke rising from the facility. According to news agency AFP, smoke was visible from the conference venue where the delegates had gathered.
Ukraine claims attack on naval base, warship
Zelensky said Ukrainian drones also targeted the Kronstadt naval base, home to Russia’s Baltic Fleet. The Ukrainian military later claimed that it had attacked the Boiki corvette, causing a massive fire on the warship.The commander of Ukraine’s drone forces posted footage he said showed an attack on a ship at a naval base.Russian officials confirmed that infrastructure in St. Petersburg was damaged, but did not provide details. Governor Alexander Beglov said no casualties were reported.The strike disrupted operations at St. Petersburg’s main airport, with flights suspended for several hours overnight. According to news agency AP, mobile internet services were also temporarily restricted.Zelensky described the attacks as part of Ukraine’s strategy of “long-range sanctions” aimed at Russian military and energy infrastructure.“Ukraine’s long-range sanctions plan is being implemented exactly as needed to bring peace closer,” he said.
SPIEF Forum opens in the shadow of war
These attacks coincided with the inauguration of SPIEF, often referred to as the “Davos of Russia”. The forum remains one of Moscow’s most important economic events despite most Western investors leaving following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Putin is expected to deliver a keynote speech on Friday. Nearly 20,000 participants from 130 countries are expected to attend this year’s gathering.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov vowed to respond to the Ukrainian attacks.“Our responses will be systemic in nature,” he told reporters.The Kremlin also said it was continuing to fight to prevent such drone attacks in Ukraine.
Russia blames Ukraine for deadly bus attack
According to Reuters, Russia-based Donetsk leader Denis Pushilin said a Ukrainian drone attacked the bus as it stopped to pick up passengers in Yenakiyev.Pushilin said eight civilians were killed and 11 were injured.Kiev did not immediately comment on the allegation. Like Russia, Ukraine also denies deliberately targeting civilians.Russian investigators opened a criminal case over what they described as a “terrorist attack”.Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of waging a “campaign” against civilians, while Special Ambassador Rodion Miroshnik alleged that Kiev was attempting to intimidate residents in Russian-controlled areas.
growing drone war
The latest attacks come amid a sharp increase in long-range attacks by both sides.According to the AP, Russia launched 198 drones into Ukraine overnight, while Russian officials said their air defenses intercepted 354 Ukrainian drones in several areas.The exchange came after a major Russian missile and drone attack on Ukraine on Tuesday, which killed at least 23 people and injured more than 130.Fighting continued even on the front lines. Ukrainian officials said Russian strikes killed civilians in the Kherson, Sumy and Kharkiv regions, while Russian-established officials reported casualties in occupied eastern Ukraine.With battlefield lines largely static and drone warfare increasingly shaping the conflict, both Moscow and Kiev are relying more on long-range strikes aimed at military infrastructure, energy facilities and logistics networks far from the front.