Ukrainian drones targeted energy and military installations in Saint Petersburg on Wednesday, coinciding with a major economic forum attended by President Vladimir Putin.
Officials reported damage to several infrastructure sites; however, no fatalities were confirmed.
Regional governor Alexander Beglov stated that “several” facilities were impacted on the outskirts of Russia’s second-largest city. Ukrainian officials indicated the strikes aimed to disrupt the prominent gathering, known as “Russia’s Davos,” which included members of Germany’s far-right Alternative for Germany party.
Witnesses reported thick smoke rising over the city following the attacks, as noted by the Reuters news agency.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy identified the Saint Petersburg Oil Terminal and the Kronstadt military base as specific targets. He referred to the actions as “long-range sanctions,” a term used in Kyiv for direct attacks on Russian oil and gas infrastructure.
“Ukraine’s plan for long-range sanctions is being implemented exactly as needed to bring peace closer,” Zelenskyy stated, sharing a video of an oil depot in flames on social media.
Governor Beglov reported damage to “several buildings,” with clean-up efforts currently in progress. Authorities had preemptively warned residents and visitors about potential drone strikes via text messages.
Smoke was visible from the venue of the Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum, which is set to continue through Saturday. An adviser to the Ukrainian Defense Ministry, Sergiy Sternenko, remarked on the forum’s opening, highlighting the smoke from the strikes.
Putin is scheduled to address the forum on Friday. The drone strikes occurred shortly before NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s visit to Kyiv, accompanied by ambassadors from member states.
Source: www.dw.com via Google News.
