Ukrainian drones targeted areas around St Petersburg, Russia’s second-largest city. Russia’s government reported shooting down or intercepting more than 140 drones. The attacks occurred as St Petersburg hosted an economic forum. City officials urged residents to stay inside for safety.
Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko of the Leningrad region confirmed the drone interceptions. St Petersburg governor Alexander Beglov advised citizens to remain indoors. This is the first such public safety warning since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that his country’s forces struck Russian arsenals and a naval base. He described these actions as a justified response to Russian aggression.
These events unfold against a backdrop of persistent conflict and diplomatic deadlock. President Vladimir Putin recently stated there was no point in meeting with President Zelensky. Talks aimed at ending the war have stalled. Ukraine aims to weaken Russia’s capacity to wage war by targeting its resources. This aligns with Ukraine's strategy of striking deep within Russia.
According to President Zelensky, Ukrainian drones travelled up to 1,000 kilometers. Targets included military arsenals and a base in Kronstadt. Kronstadt is a key base for Russia's Baltic Fleet. Ukraine also claimed to strike an oil depot 500 kilometers away. This depot is in the southern Krasnodar region. Zelensky referred to these strikes as part of Ukraine’s “long-range sanctions.”
One Ukrainian commander noted the ease of reaching targets inside Russia. Yevhen Karas, commander of the 413th regiment Raid of Ukraine's Unmanned Systems Forces, told the BBC. He stated, “We fly in Russia like it’s our own territory.” He added, “Almost no resistance, not hard to reach a target.” Russia’s defense ministry claimed its air defenses intercepted 339 drones across several regions on Saturday. They said this occurred between 07:00 and 04:00 GMT. Meanwhile, Ukraine reported Russian attacks on civilian search-and-rescue vessels in the Black Sea. Ukrainian Territorial Development Minister Oleksiy Kuleba confirmed injuries. Russia has not commented on these specific Black Sea incidents.
The drone attacks follow earlier Ukrainian strikes near St Petersburg. These occurred just before Putin’s economic forum began. The forum aims to attract foreign investment. It drew thousands of international guests. A small US delegation attended, marking a rare US presence in recent years. President Zelensky had previously called for a ceasefire and direct negotiations with Putin. He wrote on Thursday that waiting for US attention to shift back to the war was “wrong.”
Former US President Donald Trump has been involved in mediation efforts. However, the war in Iran has recently drawn more focus. President Putin rejected Zelensky’s call for a meeting. He argued a truce would allow Ukraine to regroup. Putin stated the war would end only when Russia’s objectives are met. Russia demands Ukraine cede control of several regions. It also requires Ukraine to abandon NATO aspirations. Ukraine refuses territorial concessions, fearing further Russian aggression. Zelensky stated on Saturday it was “time to end this war.” He accused Putin of wanting to “keep fighting.” Zelensky is expected to visit the UK soon. He will meet with European allies, including UK Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.
In occupied eastern Ukraine, the Luhansk region faced disruptions. Moscow-backed authorities suspended coach services. They cited Ukrainian drone activity targeting Russian logistics. Residents were advised against using these services for safety reasons. Commuter train services were also banned. Transportation of children’s groups was also restricted. Russian forces claim full control of the Luhansk People's Republic.
Recent Ukrainian drone strikes have targeted occupied areas of Ukraine. Officials state these hits are disrupting Russian logistics. An analyst told the BBC that over 200 lorries and 30 fuel trucks were hit in May. Ukraine has developed its defense capabilities since 2022. It now targets Russian infrastructure, especially energy facilities. These facilities are seen as vital for Russia’s war funding. Both Russia and Ukraine accuse each other of targeting civilians.