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Ukrainian drones struck energy and military facilities in Saint Petersburg early Wednesday as officials gathered in the city for a major international economic forum, according to Russian and Ukrainian authorities.
The attacks reportedly hit the Saint Petersburg Oil Terminal and the Kronstadt military base, with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirming the strikes and describing them as part of ongoing “long-range sanctions” aimed at pressuring Russia.
Saint Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov said several infrastructure sites were damaged but confirmed that no fatalities were recorded. The strikes also forced the city’s main airport to temporarily suspend operations overnight.
The incident occurred as around 20,000 delegates from 130 countries arrived for the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, a three-day event often referred to as “Russia’s Davos”, which is set to feature President Vladimir Putin’s keynote address later in the week.
Ukraine said the timing of the strikes was intended to disrupt the high-profile gathering, with officials posting footage of fires and smoke rising from affected facilities.
The commander of Ukraine’s drone forces claimed a Russian warship was also hit at the Kronstadt naval base, sharing drone footage of the alleged attack.
Russia vowed to respond, with Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stating that the country’s response would be “systemic in nature”.
The exchange of attacks came a day after Russian missile and drone strikes killed 23 people in Ukraine, while Ukrainian officials reported fresh casualties in frontline regions following continued Russian shelling.
The conflict has intensified aerial warfare in recent months, with both sides targeting energy infrastructure and military installations as part of broader strategic operations.
Despite the escalation, the economic forum in Saint Petersburg is proceeding, though officials acknowledged disruptions, including flight delays and heightened security concerns.
The event has drawn a narrower range of international participation than in previous years, with attendance now largely limited to Russia’s allies and select global figures.
