Massive drone strike hits Russia's second city
Ukraine launched more than 140 drones at St Petersburg and surrounding areas on Saturday in an attack that Russian officials called unprecedented. The Ukrainian drones flew roughly 1,000 km from Ukrainian territory to reach Russia's second largest city. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the drones targeted enemy navy arsenals and a naval base in Kronstadt, home to Russia's Baltic Fleet.
The St Petersburg governor, Alexander Beglov, urged residents to stay indoors for the first time since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine began in 2022. Witnesses reported seeing black smoke rising from oil storage facilities in several districts. Pulkovo airport temporarily suspended flights as a safety measure.
Strategic timing during economic forum
The attack came on the final day of the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Russia's flagship business event. The forum, sometimes called Russian Davos, drew about 20,000 visitors from 130 countries. President Vladimir Putin spoke at the forum on Friday, saying there was no point in meeting Zelensky and that the war would end only when Russia's goals were met.
Zelensky wrote an open letter on Thursday calling for face-to-face negotiations with Putin, saying it would be wrong to simply wait for US attention. Putin rejected the proposal.
Deepening drone campaign
The strike is part of Ukraine's expanding long-range drone campaign against Russian military and economic infrastructure. Since the beginning of May, more than 200 lorries and over 30 fuel trucks have been hit in occupied Ukrainian territory. Ukrainian officials say the strategy aims to disrupt Russia's ability to supply its forces and to bring economic pressure on the Kremlin.
Russia's defence ministry said it had shot down most of the drones, but acknowledged that some had reached their targets. Military analysts say Ukraine's ability to strike deep inside Russian territory marks a change in the war's dynamics, even as fighting continues along the front lines in eastern and southern Ukraine.