Ukraine Launches Drone Barrage at Russia, Striking Oil Facilities
Kyiv claims over 1,000 drones targeted Russian regions, while a fire breaks out at a St. Petersburg oil terminal.
Ukraine launched more than 1,000 drones across Russia on Sunday, in what officials described as one of its largest aerial bombardments, with an oil export terminal in St. Petersburg catching fire. Local Governor Alexander Beglov stated that one person was killed and five others were wounded in the attack, which ignited fires at both the Petersburg Oil Terminal and the city’s Ruchi oil depot. A logistics center operated by the Russian retailer Ozon and a data center belonging to VK were also reported targets.
The Russian Ministry of Defense claimed its forces destroyed 1,015 Ukrainian drones over 15 Russian regions, as well as over the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea and the Black Sea. The drone strikes come amid deepening tensions between Ukraine and the United States, with former U.S. President Donald Trump criticizing Kyiv for its attacks on Russian oil infrastructure.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on X that in the week following Trump's announcement of an "energy ceasefire" on October 11, Russia had attacked Ukraine’s energy, oil, and gas sectors 76 times. Zelenskyy accused Russia of attempting to create blackouts, noting that energy facilities in four Ukrainian regions were targeted in the preceding night alone, leaving tens of thousands of families without power. He argued that Russia was not reciprocating on sanctions relief or agreements and that the war was continuing because of Russia’s invasion, not Ukraine’s defense.
Meanwhile, in southern Ukraine, Russia launched two attacks on the city of Zaporizhzhia, resulting in the death of one woman and injuries to at least two others, including a 6-year-old girl, according to local officials. Two apartment buildings, 18 cars, and an educational institution sustained damage from the attacks.
Ukraine had previously confirmed on Thursday that it resumed attacks on Russian oil facilities after a three-day pause. Zelenskyy expressed outrage over Russia's continued aerial bombardment of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, which appeared to defy Trump's call for both sides to halt such attacks. The Ukrainian government had initially indicated it would heed the ceasefire. Zelenskyy emphasized that Russia must face pressure for peace to have a chance.