DistantNews
Support us
🇦🇺 Australia /Conflict & Security

Ukraine Strikes Russian Oil Facilities Near St. Petersburg in Drone Attacks; Putin Rejects Talks

From ABC Australia · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Ukraine launched drone attacks targeting Russian oil facilities in St. Petersburg and the Leningrad region.
  • One person died, and an oil depot caught fire following the strikes, with Russian air defenses reportedly intercepting numerous drones.
  • The attacks occurred shortly after President Putin rejected a meeting with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, with both leaders exchanging sharp words.

Ukraine has escalated its drone campaign, launching significant attacks on Russian oil infrastructure in St. Petersburg and the surrounding Leningrad region. Russian authorities reported intercepting 376 drones, with over 140 shot down in the Leningrad region alone. A drone strike in Ust-Labinsk ignited a fire at an oil depot, according to local officials.

I ask the people of St Petersburg to stay at home and not go out onto the streets. Mobile internet services may be disrupted.

— Alexander BeglovUrging residents to remain indoors following the drone attacks.

These strikes follow a separate Ukrainian drone attack on Wednesday that hit an oil terminal and a nearby naval base in St. Petersburg. The timing of Wednesday's attacks, occurring just before the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, a key event for President Vladimir Putin, was notable. Governor Alexander Beglov urged residents to stay indoors due to the danger, and three people were injured, though their conditions were reported as minor.

I see no point in meeting. It only makes sense for the Ukrainian side to stop the advance of our armed forces. And we need agreements. Let the experts work, develop some solutions, and then we can meet.

— Vladimir PutinExplaining his refusal to meet with Ukrainian President Zelenskyy.

The attacks on Saturday came a day after Putin publicly dismissed an offer from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy for a meeting. Putin described Zelenskyy's proposal as "boorish" and stated that a meeting would only be productive after Ukraine ceased its military advance and "experts" developed solutions. He reiterated that the war would conclude only when Russia achieved its stated "goals."

Last night, our drones covered a distance of about 1,000 kilometers to the St Petersburg region, to the enemy navy’s arsenals and a base in Kronstadt.

— Volodymyr ZelenskyyDescribing the reach and targets of Ukrainian drone strikes.

In response to Putin's remarks, Ukrainian Prime Minister Zelenskyy characterized the strikes as a "response" to Russian aggression. He noted that Ukrainian drones had traveled approximately 1,000 kilometers to target Russian naval arsenals and a base in Kronstadt. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha added that "failures will get worse for Russia," indicating Ukraine's resolve. The attacks coincide with the final day of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.

failures will get worse for Russia.

— Andrii SybihaCommenting on the implications of the drone attacks for Russia.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog