Ukraine launches hundreds of drones at Russia, targeting St. Petersburg during economic forum

Ukraine launched hundreds of drones targeting Russia on Saturday, with a significant number directed at St. Petersburg, the host city of the country's premier economic forum. The widespread attacks across Russia reportedly caused at least one death and ignited an oil depot.

Russian authorities claimed their air defenses intercepted a total of 376 drones. Over 140 were reportedly downed in the Leningrad region, which encircles St. Petersburg. The city's mayor urged residents to stay home during the aerial assault, though officials stated no serious damage occurred in the city itself. However, in Ust-Labinsk, in southern Russia, drones sparked a fire at an oil depot, and in the western Tver region, drone debris killed a man.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that Ukrainian drones traveled approximately 1,000 kilometers to reach the St. Petersburg region, targeting naval arsenals. He described the attacks as a "just response" to Russian aggression. Zelensky asserted that Ukrainian sanctions against Russian aggression are working, and it is time for Russia to end the war.

The drone strikes occurred a day after Russian President Vladimir Putin dismissed the idea of meeting with Zelensky, stating he saw no "point" in talks until peace was agreed upon. Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sibiga responded that Putin had "lost his opportunity to exit his failed war."