Ukraine launched one of its deepest drone strikes inside Russia overnight, targeting energy and military facilities in St Petersburg just as the city prepared to host President Vladimir Putin’s flagship economic forum.Meanwhile, Russian authorities accused Ukraine of carrying out a separate drone strike on a passenger bus in the Russian-controlled part of the Donetsk region, which killed 8 and injured many.The attacks came hours after a deadly wave of Russian missile and drone strikes on Ukrainian cities, reflecting the intensifying tit-for-tat campaign that has pushed the war deeper into both countries’ territory.According to news agency AP, Ukrainian long-range drones struck an oil terminal and military facilities in St Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city, forcing temporary airport closures and disrupting communications ahead of the annual St Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF).Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the drones flew more than 1,000 kilometres to hit the St Petersburg Oil Terminal.Video shared by Ukrainian officials showed thick black smoke rising from the facility. According to the news agency AFP, the smoke was visible from the conference venue where delegates had gathered.
Ukraine claims strike on naval base, warship
Zelenskyy said Ukrainian drones also targeted the Kronstadt naval base, home to Russia’s Baltic Fleet. Ukraine’s military later claimed it had struck the Boikiy corvette, causing a major fire aboard the warship.The commander of Ukraine’s drone forces posted footage that he said showed the attack on the vessel at the naval base.Russian authorities confirmed that infrastructure facilities in St Petersburg were damaged but did not provide details. Governor Alexander Beglov said no casualties were reported.The strikes disrupted operations at St Petersburg’s main airport, which suspended flights for several hours overnight. Mobile internet services were also temporarily restricted, according to news agency AP.Zelenskyy described the attacks as part of Ukraine’s strategy of “long-range sanctions” aimed at Russian military and energy infrastructure.“Ukraine’s plan for long-range sanctions is being implemented exactly as needed to bring peace closer,” he said.
SPIEF forum opens under shadow of war
The attacks coincided with the opening of SPIEF, often referred to as “Russia’s Davos”. The forum remains one of Moscow’s most important economic events despite the departure of most Western investors following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022.
Putin is expected to deliver a keynote address on Friday. Around 20,000 participants from 130 countries are expected to attend this year’s gathering.Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov vowed a response to the Ukrainian strikes.“Our responses will be systemic in nature,” he told reporters.Kremlin also stated that it is continuing to fight in Ukraine to prevent such drone attacks from occurring.
Russia accuses Ukraine of deadly bus strike
According to Reuters, Russian-installed Donetsk leader Denis Pushilin said a Ukrainian drone struck the bus while it was stopped to pick up passengers in Yenakiieve.Pushilin said eight civilians were killed and 11 wounded.Kyiv did not immediately comment on the allegation. Ukraine, like Russia, denies deliberately targeting civilians.Russian investigators opened a criminal case into what they described as a “terrorist attack”.Russian foreign ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova accused Ukraine of conducting a “manhunt” against civilians, while special ambassador Rodion Miroshnik alleged that Kyiv was attempting to intimidate residents in Russian-controlled territories.
Escalating drone war
The latest attacks come amid a sharp escalation in long-range strikes by both sides.According to AP, Russia launched 198 drones at Ukraine overnight, while Russian authorities said their air defences intercepted 354 Ukrainian drones across multiple regions.The exchange followed a major Russian missile and drone barrage on Ukraine on Tuesday that killed at least 23 people and wounded more than 130.Fighting also continued along the front lines. Ukrainian authorities said Russian strikes killed civilians in the Kherson, Sumy and Kharkiv regions, while Russian-installed officials reported casualties in occupied eastern Ukraine.With battlefield lines largely static and drone warfare increasingly shaping the conflict, both Moscow and Kyiv are relying more heavily on long-range attacks aimed at military infrastructure, energy facilities and logistical networks far from the front.
