Ukraine attacked St. Petersburg with drones ahead of the opening of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF), known as the "Russian Davos Forum." It was a counterstrike to Russia's large-scale missile and drone barrage the previous day.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky on the 3rd (local time) posted video on X (formerly Twitter) showing a plume of smoke rising from an oil storage facility.
He added, "Overnight, key facilities inside Russian territory were hit, including the St. Petersburg oil terminal," and said, "Ukraine's long-range sanction plan necessary to bring peace closer is being carried out precisely."
Zelensky said the facility, located 1,100 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, is being operated for the war.
According to AFP, St. Petersburg Mayor Aleksandr Beglov said several pieces of infrastructure in three districts of the city were damaged in the attack, but no deaths were reported.
The attack came right after Russia's large-scale missile and drone strikes the previous day killed 23 people across Ukraine. Russia attacked Ukraine with 73 missiles, including eight Zircon hypersonic missiles, and 656 drones. In response, Ukraine that day also struck the Kronstadt military base, a defense plant in the Tambov region, and other targets in addition to St. Petersburg.
In particular, Ukraine appears to have aimed the attack at disrupting SPIEF, which opens in St. Petersburg that day. About 20,000 people from 130 countries are attending the event. As a result of the attack, St. Petersburg Pulkovo Airport was closed for several hours overnight, and more than 30 flights were delayed or canceled. Russian President Vladimir Putin will deliver a keynote speech in person at the SPIEF plenary on the 5th and then take part in a discussion. A meeting with Vice President Han Zheng of China is also scheduled.