Ukrainian long-range drones targeted an oil terminal in St. Petersburg, causing a fire, as confirmed by President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The strike occurred as the city hosted a key economic forum, crucial for attracting foreign investment.
The drones traveled over 1,000 kilometers (600 miles) to strike the terminal, according to Zelenskyy on social media. This incident followed a significant drone and missile attack by Russia on Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv.
Russian officials reported that the attack affected St. Petersburg’s infrastructure and temporarily suspended flights at the city’s airport. Mobile internet services were also interrupted.
Both Ukrainian and Russian forces have increased long-range strikes amidst a stagnant front line. The ongoing conflict has surpassed four years with no resolution in sight.
The drone strikes have heightened embarrassment for President Putin, particularly following a recent scaled-back Victory Day parade in Moscow due to security concerns regarding Ukrainian drone attacks. He is scheduled to speak at the economic forum that the Kremlin considers notable, which has seen reduced attendance from major Western investors since the onset of the war on February 24, 2022.
Zelenskyy stated that Ukraine’s attacks are directed at “legitimate targets” to undermine Russia’s war efforts and hinted at plans to escalate long-range drone strikes. “It is only a matter of time when we will be able to increase the scale of our own mass strikes,” he remarked.
The drone strikes came a day after Russian attacks in Ukraine resulted in 23 civilian deaths and 151 injuries. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov noted that Russian strikes have become systematic.
Ukraine aims to reduce Russian oil production, a vital source of funding, and has frequently targeted oil facilities in St. Petersburg and surrounding ports. However, Ukraine faces a shortage of American-made Patriot air defense missiles, hindered by resource limitations in the U.S.
Zelenskyy expressed frustration over delays in acquiring these systems, linking it to financial and technical challenges, and warned of possible consequences for officials regarding the procurement process.
NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte mentioned that the flow of interceptors from the U.S. to Ukraine continues despite supply constraints, emphasizing ongoing support for Ukraine.
In addition to the St. Petersburg strike, Ukrainian drones also set fire to the Russian corvette Boikiy at the Kronstadt naval base and targeted a manufacturing facility in the Tambov region.
Russia’s Defense Ministry reported downing 354 Ukrainian drones in one night. In the Donetsk region, a Ukrainian strike on a bus claimed seven lives, and two firefighters died in the Smolensk region due to a separate drone attack. Additionally, Russian shelling in Kherson resulted in one death and multiple injuries.
Source: apnews.com via Google News.
