Ukraine strikes St. Petersburg oil terminal and naval base ahead of Russian economic forum
Ukraine launches a long-range drone strike on St. Petersburg, hitting an oil terminal and a naval base just hours before the opening of Russia’s flagship St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF). Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirms the attack, calling it a necessary step to "bring peace closer," while Russian officials report fires at the oil terminal and damage to military infrastructure .
The strikes, which occurred overnight into Wednesday, set ablaze a warship and oil depots on the Baltic coast, sending plumes of black smoke over the city. St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov acknowledges the damage, though Russian authorities claim most drones were intercepted . The attack coincides with the arrival of 20,000 delegates from 130 countries for SPIEF, a high-profile event often dubbed "Russia’s Davos," where President Vladimir Putin is scheduled to speak later this week .
Ukrainian officials frame the strike as a response to Russia’s recent airstrikes, which killed 23 people across Ukraine on Tuesday. Moscow vows retaliatory measures, warning of "systematic" counterattacks . The timing of the attack—on the forum’s opening day—appears calculated to disrupt the event and undermine Putin’s narrative of stability, with NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte’s simultaneous visit to Kyiv further amplifying the geopolitical tension .
SPIEF, traditionally a platform for Russia to showcase economic resilience, now proceeds under heightened security, with organizers downplaying the impact of the strikes. The forum, running until June 5, remains a key diplomatic and business gathering, though the attack underscores the war’s escalating reach into Russian territory.
Ukraine strikes St. Petersburg oil terminal and naval base ahead of Russian economic forum
- new york times
- le monde
- themoscowtimes
- france24
- euronews
- radio free europe
- faz
Articles
Angriff auf Ölterminal: Ukraine beschießt Sankt Petersburg kurz vor Wirtschaftsforum Kurz vor der Eröffnung des internationalen Wirtschaftsforums in St. Petersburg hat die Ukraine Ziele in der russischen Metropole beschossen. In mehreren Bezirken seien Menschen verletzt worden und Schäden entstanden sein.
faz · 4 days ago
Ukraine Strikes St. Petersburg Ahead of Putins Economic Forum The attack on an oil terminal and naval base came as guests arrived for the event at which the Russian president is expected to speak later this week.
wsj · 4 days ago
St. Petersburg Economic Forum Opens Under Shadow of Ukrainian Drone Strikes Some 20,000 guests from 130 countries are expected to attend SPIEF, a flagship business and investment event known as the Russian Davos.
themoscowtimes · 4 days ago
Russia: Ukraine drones hit Saint Petersburg Ukrainian drones hit energy and military sites in Saint Petersburg early Wednesday morning as officials gathered for a flagship economic forum in the city, Russian and Ukrainian authorities said.
france24 · 4 days ago
Ukraine Strikes St. Petersburg on First Day of a Marquee Putin Event As an annual economic conference was set to begin, President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had targeted a navy base and an oil terminal in the region that includes Russias second-largest city.
new york times · 4 days ago
Ukraine strikes St. Petersburg with drones ahead of Russian Davos Ukrainian drone attacks in St. Petersburg targeted military and energy infrastructure overnight into Wednesday, setting ablaze a Russian warship and oil depots on the Baltic coast. This attack deep in Russian territory came on the opening day of Putins three-day economic forum held in the city and as NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte arrived in Kyiv for an unannounced visit.
france24 · 4 days ago
Ukrainian drones hit Saint Petersburg as Russian Davos opens in the city Ukrainian long-range drones hit an oil terminal in the Russian city of St Petersburg on June 3, setting the facility ablaze. It came hours before Vladimir Putins showcase economic forum got under way in the city, apparently an attempt to embarrass the Kremlin chief. Moscow said it would keep striking Ukraine systematically in response to such attacks.
france24 · 4 days ago
Moment explosion erupts at Russian oil terminal in St. Petersburg after Ukrainian drone attack Black smoke billowed over St. Petersburg after a Ukrainian drone strike sparked a fire at an oil terminal, according to Ukrainian and Russian officials. The attack came days before President Vladimir Putin is due to attend a major economic forum in the city.
euronews · 4 days ago
Ukraine Attacks Energy, Military Sites In St. Petersburg Ahead Of Russias Economic Forum Ukrainian drones attacked energy and military sites in St. Petersburg as Russias major economic forum was set to kick off in the city, a day after Moscow killed 23 people across Ukraine in devastating air attacks.
radio free europe · 4 days ago
Ukrainian drones strike Saint Petersburg as Russian economic forum opens As the three-day annual Saint Petersburg International Economic Forum opened, Ukrainian drones damaged several facilities, the citys governor acknowledged. Volodymyr Zelensky hailed the strike as what is needed to bring peace closer.
le monde · 4 days ago