Kyiv, June 5:
Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil terminal in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, setting parts of the facility on fire as the Russian city hosted its annual international economic forum, a key event for President Vladimir Putin. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the drones flew more than 1,000 kilometres to reach the target, with thick black smoke seen rising over the port area.
Russian authorities confirmed the attack on city infrastructure but released few details. Flights at St. Petersburg airport were briefly suspended, and mobile internet services were disrupted. The strike came as Russia prepared for the economic forum, often referred to as “Russia’s Davos,” where Putin is expected to speak.
The attack followed a major Russian missile and drone assault on Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities a day earlier that killed at least 22 civilians and injured 138. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Russia’s long-range strikes on Ukraine had become “systematic.”
Zelenskyy also criticised delays in acquiring additional Patriot air defence systems, saying an agreement exists but implementation has stalled. NATO chief Mark Rutte arrived in Kyiv for talks expected to focus on Ukraine’s air defence needs.