Ukrainian drones strike St. Petersburg oil terminal, embarrassing Putin before economic forum
Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.
At a glance
- Ukrainian long-range drones struck energy and military facilities in St. Petersburg, over 1000 kilometers from the front lines.
- The attack occurred as the city hosts an international economic forum, an event significant for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Russian officials vowed systematic responses, while Ukraine aims to disrupt the summit and highlight the war's spread beyond the front lines.
Ukrainian long-range drones struck energy and military facilities in St. Petersburg, over 1000 kilometers from the front lines, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Black smoke billowed over the city's port following the Wednesday attack. St. Petersburg, Russia's second-largest city, is Putin's birthplace.
Our responses will be systematic.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov promised "systematic responses" after the strike. St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov stated that "several" infrastructures were damaged, but no fatalities occurred. The city's airport briefly suspended flights, and mobile internet services were cut.
What Iran is doing is โunlawful and illegalโ; they have to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.
The attack comes a day after Russian missiles and drones killed 23 people and injured 138 in Ukraine, which again called for increased Western support. These strikes are an embarrassment for Putin, occurring weeks after he scaled back a Victory Day parade due to fears of Ukrainian drone attacks.
US remains worldโs sole global superpower, has most formidable and powerful military ever known to man; our dollar remains that reserve currency of the world.
Ukrainian officials said the action aimed to disrupt the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, where Putin is scheduled to speak Friday. The forum, sometimes called the "Russian Davos," typically attracts thousands of guests, though Western investors and officials have largely stayed away since Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Saudi Arabia is this year's special guest country.
Today, there is no Iranian navy. There is no such thing. Thereโs a bunch of Boston Whalers with machine guns on them. But there is no navy.
Originally published by La Naciรณn in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.