Ukrainian drones targeted energy and military sites in St. Petersburg on Wednesday, coinciding with the gathering of international attendees for the city’s economic forum. The strikes posed a significant challenge to President Vladimir Putin’s administration.
Reports indicate that several long-range drones struck oil storage facilities, as Russian air defenses failed to intercept them. Explosions were heard, and thick black smoke was visible over the city from the affected oil terminal.
Governor Alexander Beglov confirmed that the Kirovsky and Krasnoselsky districts were among the areas hit. Additionally, drones struck the nearby Kronstadt naval base and shipyard, which houses Russia’s Baltic fleet.
Footage has emerged showing a Ukrainian drone striking the guided-missile corvette, the Boikiy, which was in dry dock for repairs. The incident occurred approximately 10 miles from the economic forum, where Putin is scheduled to deliver a keynote address on Friday.
As a result of the drone strikes, St. Petersburg’s airport was temporarily closed, affecting the arrival of guests. Approximately 20,000 attendees from 130 countries are expected at the three-day summit, which is considered Russia’s alternative to Davos.
Notable attendees include former German Chancellor Gerhard Schröder, American influencer Candace Owens, and the Tate brothers. Andrew Tate, who arrived in Moscow with his brother Tristan, faces criminal charges in Romania related to human trafficking and other offenses, while they deny the allegations.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy referred to the strikes as part of a strategy of “long-range sanctions” targeting significant facilities within Russia. He expressed gratitude to Ukrainian forces for their precision in executing these operations.
Zelenskyy characterized Wednesday’s strikes as a necessary response, particularly following a recent Russian attack that resulted in civilian casualties in Ukraine. He indicated that Ukraine would continue to enhance the intensity of its military responses.
In remarks during a visit to Kyiv, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte described Russia’s actions as increasingly desperate, as Ukraine continues to achieve gains on the battlefield.
The drone strikes coincide with a recent escalation in Ukraine’s aerial operations, which have targeted Russian ports, oil facilities, and military sites, disrupting operational capacities and logistics.
Historically, the St. Petersburg forum has been a venue for attracting Western investors, although many have refrained from attending since the onset of the Ukraine conflict. This year, the Kremlin has invited leaders from allied countries, including Uzbekistan, Tanzania, Cuba, Belarus, and Saudi Arabia.
Moscow’s economy representative Kirill Dmitriev described the forum’s attendees as representatives of “sovereign countries,” contrasting them with “globalist” participants in the Davos forum.
Source: www.theguardian.com via Google News.
