Ukraine launches major drone assault near St Petersburg as war tensions escalate

Ukraine carried out one of its largest drone attacks deep inside Russian territory, targeting areas around St Petersburg and prompting

Ukraine carried out one of its largest drone attacks deep inside Russian territory, targeting areas around St Petersburg and prompting Russian authorities to describe the operation as unprecedented. The strikes came as Russia hosted the final day of its annual economic forum, a key event aimed at attracting international business and investment.

Officials in Russia’s Leningrad region said more than 140 Ukrainian drones were intercepted during the attack. Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko reported that air defence systems were deployed throughout the region to counter the incoming drones. Authorities also confirmed that a military facility caught fire during the assault, forcing the evacuation of nearby residents.
For the first time since the start of the war, St Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov urged people to remain indoors as a precaution. While officials said damage to buildings was limited, the scale of the attack highlighted Ukraine’s growing ability to strike targets far from the battlefield.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the operation was aimed at military facilities and naval infrastructure linked to Russia’s war effort. According to him, Ukrainian drones travelled roughly 1,000 kilometres to reach targets in the St Petersburg region, including military arsenals and a naval base in Kronstadt, home to the Baltic Fleet.
Zelensky also claimed that Ukrainian forces struck an oil storage facility in Russia’s southern Krasnodar region. He described the attacks as a response to continued Russian strikes on Ukrainian territory and said they were intended to weaken resources supporting Moscow’s military campaign.
The latest developments came only a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin rejected calls for direct talks with Zelensky. Speaking at the St Petersburg International Economic Forum, Putin dismissed the idea of a face-to-face meeting and argued that any ceasefire would simply give Ukraine an opportunity to regroup and strengthen its military position.
In response, Zelensky renewed his appeal for negotiations and called for an end to the conflict. He accused Putin of prolonging the war and said waiting for greater international involvement was not a realistic solution. According to the Ukrainian leader, meaningful dialogue remains necessary to prevent further destruction and loss of life.
Russia has maintained that peace can only be achieved if Ukraine accepts Moscow’s conditions. These include withdrawing from four regions claimed by Russia and abandoning its ambitions to join NATO. Ukraine has consistently rejected those demands, arguing that surrendering territory would encourage future aggression.
Away from St Petersburg, the effects of Ukraine’s drone campaign are increasingly being felt in Russian-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine. Authorities in the occupied Luhansk region announced restrictions on transportation services after repeated attacks on supply routes and logistics infrastructure. Bus services on key highways were suspended, while commuter rail operations and organized travel for children were temporarily halted for security reasons.
Military analysts say Ukraine has intensified efforts to target fuel supplies, transport networks, and logistical hubs that support Russian operations. Reports indicate that hundreds of military and supply vehicles have been damaged or destroyed in recent months as Kyiv expands its long-range capabilities.
Since the beginning of the war in 2022, Ukraine has invested heavily in developing drone technology and domestic defence production. These advancements have allowed Ukrainian forces to strike strategic targets well inside Russia, particularly oil facilities and energy infrastructure viewed as critical to Moscow’s military operations.
As both sides continue to exchange attacks far beyond the front lines, prospects for a negotiated settlement remain uncertain. The latest strikes demonstrate that the conflict is increasingly reaching deeper into each country’s territory, adding further complexity to efforts aimed at ending the war.