Ukraine Drone Attack: Ukraine drone strikes St. Petersburg oil terminal and naval base, Russia reports bus attack kills 8 civilians

Ukraine launched one of its deepest drone strikes into Russia overnight, targeting energy and military facilities in St. Petersburg as the city prepared to host President Vladimir Putin’s flagship economic forum.Meanwhile, Russian authorities accused Ukraine of carrying out a separate drone attack on a passenger bus in Russian-controlled areas of the Donetsk region, killing eight people and injuring many others.The attack came hours after a deadly wave of Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, reflecting an intensification of tit-for-tat that is pushing the war further into both countries’ territories.Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil terminal and military facilities in Russia’s second-largest city of St. Petersburg, forcing the temporary closure of the airport and disrupting communications ahead of the annual St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), the Associated Press reported.Ukrainian President Zelensky said that the drone flew more than 1,000 kilometers and attacked the St. Petersburg oil terminal.Video shared by Ukrainian officials showed thick black smoke billowing from the facility. Smoke could be seen from the conference venue where delegates had gathered, AFP reported.

Ukraine claims attacks on naval base, warships

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 frigate “Boki”, causing the warship to catch fire.The commander of Ukraine’s drone force has released a video he says shows a ship at a naval base being attacked.Russian authorities confirmed damage to infrastructure in St. Petersburg but gave no details. Governor Alexander Beglov said no casualties were reported.The strike disrupted operations at St. Petersburg’s main airport, causing flights to be suspended for several hours overnight. Mobile internet services were also temporarily restricted, the Associated Press reported.Zelensky described the attacks as part of Ukraine’s “long-term sanctions” strategy targeting Russian military and energy infrastructure.“Ukraine’s long-term sanctions program is being implemented precisely as needed to achieve peace,” he said.

SPIEF Forum opens in the shadow of war

The attack coincided with the opening of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, known as “Russian Davos.” Although most Western investors fled after Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the forum remains one of Moscow’s most important economic events.

Putin is expected to deliver a keynote speech on Friday. Some 20,000 attendees from 130 countries are expected to attend this year’s gathering.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov vowed to respond to the attack in Ukraine.“Our response will be systemic in nature,” he told reporters.The Kremlin also said it was continuing to fight in Ukraine to prevent such drone attacks.

Russia blames Ukraine for deadly bus strike

Russia’s leader in Donetsk, Denis Pushilin, said a Ukrainian drone struck the bus as it stopped to pick up passengers in Yenakiyev, Reuters reported.Pushlin said eight civilians were killed and 11 wounded.Kyiv did not immediately comment on the allegation. Like Russia, Ukraine denies deliberately targeting civilians.Russian investigators have launched criminal proceedings over what they describe as a “terrorist attack.”Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of conducting “manhunts” on civilians, while envoy Rodion Miroshnik claimed Kiev was trying to intimidate residents of Russian-controlled territory.

Drone war escalates

The latest attacks come amid a sharp escalation in long-range strikes on both sides.According to the Associated Press, Russia launched 198 drones into Ukraine overnight, while Russian authorities said its air defense systems intercepted 354 Ukrainian drones in multiple areas.On Tuesday, Russian missiles and drones launched a massive attack on Ukraine, killing at least 23 people and injuring more than 130 others.The fighting on the front lines also continues. Ukrainian authorities said Russian airstrikes killed civilians in the Kherson, Sumy and Kharkiv regions, while Russian-appointed officials reported casualties in occupied eastern Ukraine.With battle lines largely static and drone warfare increasingly shaping the conflict, both Moscow and Kiev rely more on long-range attacks targeting military infrastructure, energy facilities and logistics networks far from the front lines.