Ukraine launched drone attacks targeting a major oil terminal in St. Petersburg and a naval base in the nearby city of Kronstadt, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Zelensky stated on social media that Ukrainian defense forces struck port oil infrastructure "that generates revenue for Russia's war," and also hit an "important military target" in Kronstadt.
St. Petersburg Governor Aleksandr Beglov confirmed that the city experienced a "massive" drone attack and that the oil terminal was hit. He reported no casualties and stated that 72 Ukrainian drones were shot down over St. Petersburg and the wider Leningrad region. Mobile internet services were also reportedly disrupted.
Ukraine's military described the targeted terminal as "one of the largest" in Russia, with an annual production capacity of 12.5 million tonnes of petroleum products. The military also claimed to have hit a key naval base of the Russian Baltic Fleet in Kronstadt. Russia has not publicly commented on these claims.
These strikes come as Ukraine has intensified its long-range drone attacks on Russia's critical energy infrastructure in recent months, leading to fuel shortages in various regions. Zelensky noted that the targets hit were approximately 850 kilometers (528 miles) from Ukraine's border. A video shared by the Ukrainian president appeared to show a drone approaching a target, followed by a large plume of black smoke.
In a separate development, Ukraine's military denied Russian claims that the eastern Ukrainian town of Kostyantynivka is under full Russian control. Military spokesman Maj. Andriy Kovalyov stated that Kostyantynivka remains under Ukrainian control, acknowledging "cases of infiltration by small infantry groups" that he said were being neutralized. These comments followed a claim by Russian President Vladimir Putin that Russian forces had established control over Kostyantynivka in June, a claim for which no evidence was provided.