Ukraine launched a massive drone offensive against Russia overnight Tuesday, damaging infrastructure in St. Petersburg and disrupting air travel just as the city prepares to host Putin’s annual economic forum.
St. Petersburg under fire
Ukraine conducted a widespread drone attack targeting St. Petersburg, the host city of Russia’s annual economic forum beginning Wednesday. Reuters, citing Governor Alexander Drozdenko, reported that Russian air defenses downed 50 drones over the Leningrad region.
St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov confirmed damage to infrastructure in several city districts and reported injuries among residents. Local reports of explosions and a fire at an oil terminal emerged, forcing the Pulkovo Airport to limit operations, resulting in over 30 delayed or canceled flights.
High-stakes economic summit
The city is hosting the “Russian Davos,” an economic forum patronized by Vladimir Putin and held for the fifth time since the invasion of Ukraine. Despite earlier assurances from Beglov that security services were prepared for any challenge, the forum continues with planned sessions involving international delegates from China, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan, and Tanzania.
Nationwide drone assault
Drone activity also targeted the Moscow region, where Mayor Sergei Sobyanin reported the interception of at least 20 drones. Further damage was reported at an industrial plant in Michurinsk, Tambov region, with the Russian Ministry of Defense claiming a total of 354 Ukrainian drones were destroyed overnight.
Fatal incident in occupied Donetsk
In a separate development, seven people were killed and 11 injured in the Russian-controlled part of the Donetsk region. Denys Pushilin, head of the occupation administration, stated a drone struck a passenger bus near Yenakiieve on the route from Moscow to Simferopol.
The Russian Investigative Committee has launched a probe into the incident, classifying it as a terrorist attack. This escalation followed a massive Russian missile and drone barrage against targets including Kyiv, which resulted in 23 deaths.