Ukrainian drones struck oil infrastructure and the main base of Russia's Baltic Fleet in St. Petersburg early Saturday, as Kyiv continues a campaign of long-range attacks targeting Russian economic and military assets.
The St. Petersburg Oil Terminal, one of Russia's largest fuel storage and export facilities, was set ablaze. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the strikes on X, stating that "Ukraine's Defense Forces struck port oil infrastructure that generates revenue for Russia's war." The facility reportedly produces approximately 250,000 barrels of petroleum products daily.
Ukraine also targeted the Baltic Fleet base in Kronstadt, which Zelensky described as "an important military target." He further claimed, "Russia has lost the Black Sea. The Ukrainian Navy has achieved what many believed was impossible."
These attacks are part of a 40-day "pressure campaign" authorized by Zelensky last month, utilizing Ukraine's military intelligence to launch long-range drone strikes deep into Russia. The stated goal is to compel Russian President Vladimir Putin to halt the ongoing war.
The increased attacks come two days after Russian airstrikes killed at least 31 people and wounded more than 100 in Kyiv, marking one of the deadliest assaults on the capital since the conflict began in 2022. Zelensky noted that he spoke with President Trump on Saturday, and both leaders agreed to discuss the war further in person next week during the NATO Summit in Turkey.
Internally, Putin is facing mounting criticism within Russia due to fuel shortages, rising inflation, and military casualties, with an increasing number of citizens attributing the issues to his invasion of Ukraine. Vladimir Milov, a former Russian deputy energy minister now living in exile, described the situation as "a crisis" with "an extreme acceleration of public admissions that we are in trouble."
Experts suggest the war is at a critical juncture, with Russian advances slowing in recent months, and Ukraine potentially nearing a turning point.