Ukraine carried out one of its largest drone attacks of the war on Russia overnight into Sunday, striking oil terminals and other sites in St. Petersburg and surrounding areas despite pressure from President Donald Trump to halt such operations.
Russian authorities reported that air defenses neutralized 1,015 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions, including 146 near St. Petersburg. The attack set fires at the St. Petersburg Oil Terminal and the Ruchi oil depot, with additional damage reported at a logistics hub operated by retailer Ozon and a data center linked to VK, Russia's major social network.
St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov stated that one person was killed and five others were injured in the city, with residential buildings also damaged. In the surrounding Leningrad region, Governor Alexander Drozdenko said approximately 20,000 residents lost power after strikes on electrical substations. Flights at Pulkovo Airport were temporarily restricted.
The strikes mark a resumption of Ukrainian attacks on Russian energy infrastructure following a brief pause tied to an energy ceasefire announced by Trump last week. Trump had criticized prior Ukrainian strikes on Russian refineries and urged both sides to stop targeting energy facilities to ease global fuel prices.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accused Russia of violating the ceasefire dozens of times with its own strikes on Ukrainian energy sites. The latest Ukrainian operation comes amid reports of strained relations between Kyiv and Washington.
Russia's Defense Ministry described the assault as one of the largest drone barrages of the conflict. Ukrainian drone manufacturer Fire Point confirmed involvement in targeting sites including the VK data center.
The attack extended to other parts of Russia, with claims of hits on logistics and industrial facilities. Local reports noted ongoing firefighting efforts at multiple locations in St. Petersburg.
This development underscores the persistent intensity of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, with both sides continuing operations against energy and infrastructure targets despite international diplomatic efforts.
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