Ukraine hits St. Petersburg in overnight strikes

Ukraine conducted an overnight drone attack on St. Petersburg, Russia, striking naval facilities in Kronstadt, the primary base for the Russian navy in the Eastern Baltic. The strike occurred as Russian President Vladimir Putin concluded an economic forum in the city. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had previously urged Putin to meet for peace talks, but Putin rejected the proposal, stating there was no point. Over 140 drones were intercepted by Russian air defenses, according to Leningrad Governor Aleksandr Drozdenko. St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov advised residents to stay indoors and confirmed three injuries. Evacuations took place in Bolshaya Izhora, a village near the Gulf of Finland, where a fire broke out near a Russian naval arsenal. St. Petersburg’s main airport, Pulkovo, suspended operations for nearly five hours due to the attack. Zelensky claimed the drones traveled approximately 1,000 kilometers to reach St. Petersburg, while additional strikes hit an oil depot in the Krasnodar region, 500 kilometers away. He emphasized the effectiveness of Ukrainian sanctions, stating that Russian aggression would not go unpunished. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha warned that Russia’s battlefield losses would worsen, and international pressure—including asset freezes and travel bans—would intensify. Residents reported smoke in the sky and loud explosions, with local media describing the chaos. Zelensky is set to meet with leaders from France, Germany, and the UK in London to discuss continued support for Ukraine and peace efforts. The attack underscores the escalating tensions as both sides remain deadlocked in negotiations.