Ukraine Launches Massive Drone Attack on Russia, Striking Oil Terminal Amid Shifting US Policy

Ukraine launched an extensive aerial assault overnight, deploying over 1,000 drones toward targets including Moscow and St. Petersburg, and striking a significant oil terminal again. The attacks come as Ukraine's leadership voices concerns about recent US policy actions that they believe are easing pressure on Russia.

In St. Petersburg, drones hit a major oil terminal, a large data center, and a bridge, with online videos appearing to show fires. Russia's Ministry of Defense reported intercepting approximately 1,015 drones near Moscow and in several western regions, marking it as one of the war's largest aerial assaults and one of the most significant attacks witnessed in St. Petersburg.

St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov confirmed the strikes, stating that emergency services were working to extinguish fires at the oil terminal, the Ruchyi oil depot, and industrial warehouses. The attacks resulted in one fatality and five injuries in the city, with damage reported to apartment buildings and homes. In the Leningrad region, two transformer substations were struck in Yanino, leaving about 20,000 residents without electricity.

The renewed strikes on oil facilities signify Ukraine's return to targeting Russia's energy sector after a period of restraint. This pause had been implemented following pressure from President Donald Trump, who had announced an "energy ceasefire" between the two sides and subsequently brokered a deal with Russia to lift sanctions on Russian diesel. Ukraine had reluctantly agreed to halt refinery attacks.

However, concerns have mounted in Kyiv regarding recent US actions. President Trump's decision to waive a congressionally approved sanctions package aimed at Russia's oil and gas industry has been met with criticism from Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyy stated that such moves encourage Russian President Vladimir Putin and suggested that the diesel deal was merely the first step, anticipating further sanctions relief for Russia.

Adding to Ukraine's anxieties, the Starlink internet system, crucial for drone operations, experienced abrupt restrictions this past week, disrupting military activities. Officials in Ukraine also expressed concern that Trump might limit intelligence sharing related to Russian missile launches.

President Zelenskyy reported that Russia has continued its systematic targeting of Ukraine's energy infrastructure, conducting at least 76 attacks on energy or oil and gas facilities in the preceding week. He detailed overnight strikes on substations in four regions, including Odesa, which left tens of thousands of families without power. Zelenskyy estimated that over the past week, Russia had launched nearly 2,700 attack drones, 1,700 aerial bombs, and 66 missiles, primarily targeting energy facilities with the aim of causing widespread blackouts. He emphasized that Russia has not taken reciprocal steps in response to any sanctions relief or agreements.

The recent drone attacks on Russian territory underscore Ukraine's continued efforts to disrupt Russia's war capabilities, even as the geopolitical landscape, particularly concerning US policy, appears to be shifting.